[cover: Helena Roerich, painting by Svyatoslav Nikolaevich Roerich.]

(Agni Yoga Society, On Eastern Crossroads, 1930.)

"The Star

     What Star was it that guided the Magi? Of course it was the Command of the Brotherhood: To hail Jesus, to safeguard, and to bring some means to the poor family.

     We walked over the face of the earth not knowing the exact spot. The Commands of the Teraphim directed us or led us from day to day. When we heard, “It is near!”, we had just lost all signs of habitation.

     Could one expect a miracle of so unprecedented an Annunciation in the midst of camel dung and the braying of donkeys? Human thought attempted to locate the future prophet perhaps near a temple or at least majestic walls.

     We received the Command to halt at a humble inn. In the low-ceilinged house with clay walls we stopped for the night. A fire and a small oil lamp filled the room with a red glow.

     After our meal we noticed that a servant poured out the remains of the milk into a separate amphora. We said to her, “It is not right to save it.” “But,” she said, “it is not for Thee, O Lord, but for a poor woman. Here behind the wall lives a carpenter. Recently a son was born to him.”

     Extinguishing the fire, we laid on our hands and asked, “Whither shall we go further?” Came the answer, “Nearer than the nearest. Lower than the lowest. Higher than the highest.” Not understanding the meaning we besought a Command, but we were told, “Let the ears hearken.”

     And we sat in the darkness in silence. And we heard how somewhere beyond the wall a child had begun to cry. We began to mark the direction of the cry and we heard the Mother’s song so often heard in the homes of husbandmen: “Let people count thee a plower, but I know, my son, thou art a king. Who, save thee, shall raise the best seed, the most fruitful. The Lord shall call my little one and say, ‘Thy seed alone hast glorified My feast. Sit with Me, king of the worthiest seeds.’ ”

     As we heard this song three knocks resounded in the ceiling. We said, “In the morning we shall go there.”

     Before dawn we donned our finest garments and besought the servant to lead us in the direction of the cry. She said, “The Lord wishes to visit the family of the carpenter. I had better lead you around for here one must pass through the cattle fold.” Recalling the Command, we chose the shortest way.

     Here behind the manger was a tiny dwelling leaning against rock. Here by the hearth was a woman and in her arms—He. What signs accompanied? He stretched out His little hand and on the palm was a red sign. Upon this sign we placed the most precious pearl of those we brought.

     Bestowing the treasures and the sacred objects, we warned the mother of the need of wanderings and at once we turned back crossing the same manger.

     Behind us the mother said, “See, my little one, thou art the king. Set this diamond upon the forehead of thy steed.”

     We departed bearing in mind the sign of the red star upon the palm.

     Then, also, had been said, “Remember the day of the red star upon the forehead of the warrior.”

The Way of Christ

     Thus shall we begin the story of His life, that the unmutilated word shall be inscribed upon earth.

     For thirty years He walked repeating the word so as to impart it to those who would not receive it. The Teachings of Buddha, of Zoroaster, and the old sayings of the Vedas, He learned upon the crossroads.

     Perceiving pure eyes, He asked, “Know you aught of God?”

     By river barges He awaited the travelers and asked, “Do you bear aught for me?” For it was need that He cross with human feet and ask with human words.

     When He was told of the starry signs He asked to know their verdicts; but the alphabet had no attraction for Him; people did not exist for this. “How can I calm the devastating storm? How can I disclose the heaven to men?

     “Why are they rent from the eternal existence to which they belong?”

     Such teaching of the essence of life effaced methods of magic because instead of winning the subservience of the minor spirits of nature He razed all obstacles with the sword of His spirit. His teaching guided the people to the possibilities of the spirit. Therefore there were no prophets near Him but only by the stars one knew of Him.

     We knew much and He was all-able. Then we resolved to serve His Teaching.

The Arrival of Christ

     One should remember the day of the most joyless offering—Christ who only gave, accepting nothing. This determination from an early age brought Him across a scorching desert. And His Feet burned as those of a simple driver.

     We awaited Him. But as usual, the moment of His coming was unexpected. A horse had been brought to Me and I was bidding farewell to My family when a servant noticed a ragged traveler. His slender face was pale, and His hair hung in wavy locks below His shoulders. And only a gray sack-cloth covered His body. I did not even see a gourd for drinking.

     But My wife went first to meet Him, and when afterwards I asked her why she had hastened, she said, “It seemed as though a star glowed in my bosom, and the heat, even to pain, burst into rays.” For the Traveler was already exalted as He approached the tent. Then I understood Who had come.

     After crossing the desert He partook only of corn bread and a cup of water and soon asked, “When shall We depart?”

     I replied, “When the Star permits.” And We awaited the sign of the Star. He was silent repeating only, “When?” And marking the Star, I said, “There is blood in Pisces.” He only nodded.

     Thus for three years daily We awaited. And the light of the Star shone over Us.

     I recall He spoke somewhat of a vision of Light in which a small boy brought Him a sword. And when Light, as a Rainbow, was poured before Him, a soundless Voice bade Him go.

     I was told to accompany Him, where I Myself was not yet to enter.

     On a white camel We set out by night. And by night-crossing We reached Lahore where We found a follower of Buddha, apparently expecting Us.

     Never have I seen such resolution because We were on Our way for three years.

     We awaited Him and brought Him to Jordan. Again a white sack-cloth covered Him. And again He set forth alone under the morning Sun. And a Rainbow shone over Him.

The Signs of Christ

     The Star of Allahabad pointed out the way. And so We visited Sarnath and Gaya. Everywhere We found the desecration of religion. On the way back under the full moon occurred the memorable saying of Christ.

     During the night-march the guide lost his way. After seeking I found Christ seated upon a sand-mound looking at the sand flooded by moon-light.

     I said to Him, “We have lost Our way. We must await the indication of the stars.”

     “Rossul M., what is a way to Us when the whole world is awaiting Us?”

     Then taking His bamboo staff He traced a square round the impression of His foot, saying, “Verily, I say, by human feet.”

     Then making the impression of His palm He also surrounded it with a square, “Verily by human hands.”

     Between the squares He drew the semblance of a pillar surmounted by an arc.

     He said, “Oh, how Aum shall penetrate into the human consciousness! Here I have drawn a pistil and above it an arc and have set the foundation in four directions. When, by human hands and human feet, the Temple shall be built wherein will blossom the pistil laid by Me, then let the builders pass by My way. Why shall We await the way when it is before Us?”

     Then rising, He effaced with His cane all which He had drawn.

     “When the Name of the Temple shall be pronounced then shall the inscription emerge. In remembrance of My constellation, the square and nine stars shall glow over the Temple. The sign of the foot and the hand will be inscribed above the Keystone.” Thus He Himself spoke on the eve of the New Moon.

     And the heat of the desert was great.

The Story of Mary Magdalene

     You know my way of life, how by night they knew us and by day averted their glances. So with Christ. By night they came and by day they averted their glances. I thought, “Here am I, the lowest, and by sunlight they are ashamed of me. But He, the most exalted prophet, is also avoided by day. Thus are the lowest and the highest equally avoided.”

     And so I decided to find him by day and to stretch out my hand to Him. I donned my best attire and my necklace from Smyrna and perfumed my hair. And so I went, to say to people, “Here by day are met the lowest and the highest, equally avoided by you.”

     And when I saw Him seated among the fishermen and covered with a sack-cloth, I remained on the opposite side and could not approach. Between us, people passed, equally avoiding us.

     Thus my life was determined. Because He said to His most beloved disciple, “Take this pinch of dust and bring it to this woman that she may exchange it for her necklace. Verily in these ashes is more life than in her stones, because from ashes I can create stones but from stones only dust.”

     The rest you already know. Because He did not condemn me. He but weighed my chains and the chains of shame crumbled like dust.

     He decided simply. Never did He hesitate to send the simplest object which determined one’s entire life. He touched these sendings as though bathing them in spirit.

     His path was empty because people, after receiving His gifts, hastily departed. And wishing to lay on His hands, He found all empty.

     When He was already condemned, the furies of shame rushed behind Him and mockingly brandished their branches. The price of the robber was worthy of the crowd.

     Verily He cleft asunder the chains because He bestowed knowledge without accepting reward.

The Scribes

     Night fell. Christ sat upon the threshold.

     A scribe passed and asked, “Why dost thou sit at the by-way?”

     Christ answered, “Because I am the threshold of the Spirit. If thou wouldst pass, pass through Me.”

     Another scribe asked, “Is it true that the Son of David sits at the place for dogs?”

     Christ answered, “Verily thou defamest David, My Father.”

     It became dark and the third scribe asked, “Why sitteth thou as if fearful of thy house?”

     Christ answered, “I await that the night-darkness should free Me from sight of thee. Verily, darkness, depart unto darkness.”

     Then rising, He pointed to Mount Moriah whereon stood the Temple, and said, “My Grandfather created the Temple of stone but He sits under the linen of the tent.”

     Said the scribe, “Mad man, He believes that Solomon still lives.”

     And they departed in ignorance.

     Afterwards Mary came out of the house and seeing Christ said, “Master, share our evening meal.”

     Christ answered, “The gift of the heart glows through the darkness.”

The Questioner of Cinedrion

     A member of Cinedrion asked Christ, “Would you come to us if we should ask you?”

     Christ answered, “Better would I go to the cemetery for there is no lie.”

     A member of Cinedrion asked Christ, “Why dost thou not acknowledge us if even Thy father was married by one of our members?”

     “Wait until your house crumbles; then shall We come.”

     “Wherefore shalt thou come—to destroy or to erect?”

     “Neither for destruction nor erection but for purification. Because I shall not return to the old hearth.”

     “How then, not to respect your forefathers!”

     “New cups are given for the feast. Respecting a grandfather, one need not drink out of his cup.”

Eyes—Open Wounds

     To Christ was shown an image from a distant land. On the palms and on the feet were open eyes.

     One asked, “Is it not superstition? Can one see through the hands and the soles of the feet?”

     The Teacher said, “Verily we learn to see by the hand and the foot. Will the sluggard know the essence of things? How shall we express our conclusions if we shall not apply our hands? And by our feet the spirit treads through earth.”

     Then the Teacher added, “Wise ones gave this image in order to recall the nature of things.”

     And He also added, “Are not these eyes like open wounds? Verily, verily, through open Wounds comes the light.”

♦

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