It’s an oft-repeated story among the epic, personal tales of the Beatles: During a trip to India to visit the Maharishi, John Lennon heard that the yogi had come on to one of his female seekers. He left, disillusioned and penned a scolding song about the spiritual leader. Because the source of information about the incident was questionable, and because band mate George Harrison maintained a commitment to the yogi, Lennon replaced “Maharishi” with “Sexy Sadie” for the White Album.

Now a slice of wood that looks remarkably like a cartoonish profile of Lennon, and has the lyrics scratched into it, is up for auction, for a hefty sum. The listing makes the case that the wood was purchased in India and carved into by Lennon when he returned home to London.

Coincidentally, on the day that the Maharishi died in February of this year, NASA celebrated its 50th anniversary, along with the 40th anniversary of the Beatles song “Across the Universe” by transmitting it into deep space. The words “Jai Guru Deva Om” in the chorus were taught to the members of the group by the Maharishi, and mean “I give thanks to Guru Dev” (the Maharishi’s teacher), along with “om” – the vibration of the universe.

Visit John Lennon’s lyrics for Sexy Sadie auction.