Laugh relieves boredom, eases tension and enlivens the atmosphere. Laughing at oneself is a good way to keep one’s ego in check. Yet "serious" spiritual seekers tend to think that humor and spirituality are poles apart. This is far from the truth. Evolved masters have a sense of humor, and they often use humor to drive home a point. Gurus like Kaanchee Paramaachaarya, Ramana Maharshi, Swami Chinmayananda and Swami Dayananda Saraswati sprinkled their talks liberally with humor.

Swami Chinmayananda was once scouting for a suitable venue in Chennai to hold his Geeta Gyaan Yagya. Most temples, under the dominant influence of Braahman, were reluctant to help out. Finally, one of his disciples rushed to him with the news that a Muslim was ready to make available his empty bungalow for the purpose. “But there is a problem,” said the disciple, “the house is believed to be haunted.” On hearing this, the Swamee Jee quipped: “What a wonderful opportunity! I’ve never seen a ghost in my life!”

Every morning, Ramana Maharshi would walk up the Arunaachal Hill. Once a stranger spotted him all alone, and wishing to have his Darshan, he walked faster and managed to overtake the Maharshi and stood in front of him, blocking his way. With folded palms he said “Swaamee Jee, this is a great day for me. You have blessed me with your Darshan.”  Maharshi said: “This is really funny. What Darshan you’re talking about? It is you who have come before me and given me your Darshan, not me.”

On another occasion a group of American devotees who were seated at a distance from Maharshi Ramana because of the crowd, asked him whether they could move forward so that Maharshi’s grace will be upon them. Maharshi replied that he has no objection to their moving forward but his grace was always there for everyone irrespective of proximity. The group, nonetheless, pushed forward and almost came near him. After some time the devotees requested Maharshi to place his palms on their head so that they can receive the grace in full measure. An amused Maharshi said: “next you might ask me to sign a bond and take me to court if you imagine that the grace has not worked!” The entire gathering burst into laughter.

While delivering a discourse on the Geetaa Swaamee Dayanand Saraswati narrated the following story: There were three terminally ill patients and the doctor asked them to express their last wish so that he could arrange to fulfill them. The first patient said that he would like to meet the priest and confess. The second said that he would like to meet his entire family. The doctor took care of the requests. He turned to the third patient who muttered: “I’d like to see another doctor.”

A scholar approached Kaanchee Paramaachaarya and boasted that he was an expert on the Geetaa. The seer asked him if he could spare some time to hold a 10-day discourse at the local temple. The scholar assented. On the first day 50 people came to hear him and the attendance dwindled on subsequent days. The scholar said to Paramaachaarya: “What sort of a town is this? No one seems to be interested in the Geetaa. On first day there was a crowd of 50, second day 25 and on the third day there were only two persons to listen to me!” With a twinkle in his eye the seer remarked: “Why fret? When Krishn spoke the Geetaa there was only one person to listen to him!”