Story of Guru Vashishtha

It is a story from puranik Katha about Moha. It says that nobody is free from Moha. It is bound to be there, but with little patience and understanding we can face it. Do not let this Moha become a permanent guest in your house.

There used to be very big saint, Guru Vashishtah. He was a brahmgyani. He used to teach Lord Rama by saying that this world is dream, nothing is permanent on this earth only brahm is true.

Vashishta had hundred sons. He was very attached to them. Once Vishwamitra, who was very egoistic, killed his hundred sons in anger. Vashistha became very sad and and depressive because he was entangled in the moha of his children. He being a saint could not bear this pain. He became very depressive and wanted to commit suicide. He went and jumped into a river. The river saw such a saint and gyani person has jumped into the river, she threw him out of the river by force. He attempted to jump again, the river just threw him out again. Brahm Rishi Vashishtha felt that he may be too light to drown so he tied himself with a stone to commit suicide by jumping in the river.

The river knew that he is a big saint and tried to help him. So she turned into a woman and stopped him from doing so. She caught hold of him and brought him near the bank of the river. She asked him why is he committing suicide. Vashishta explained to her that how Vishwamitra killed his hundred sons and because of that he does not want to live. Best is to die. The river said "You are such a gyani purush, you have given knowledge to Lord Rama about Brahm by saying the world is not real,it is a dream and now you are finding it real, you are blinded by moha of your sons and want to destroy your life. What is the use of this gyan.
The river then said that you are highly knowledgeable person, highly regarded and respected by all, were going to commit such a grave sin, such a shameful act. What example would you set for your disciplines and the next generation. You have given spiritual knowledge to your disciples by saying that "we are not body, we not mind, we are not intellect, we are not thoughts and we are just souls, the children of Almighty. How can you think of such an act". There was continuous discussions between Rishi Vashishtha and the river who was in form of a woman. Within few minutes Rishi Vashishtha realised his mistake and came back to his original self. He regained knowledge which was covered by the thin curtain of Moha(attachment). Moha got vanished and Vashishtah realised that he is not a body, he is a soul.
The bondage of Moha is very strong. We cannot easily eradicate it. Even big Rishia, Munis get affected. We as normal being should not think that being attached is not a gyani bakht's quality. It is with the help of our well wisher we can overcome this Moha. This all happens with the blessings of God who helps us at the time of grief and sorrow and keeps us away from the feeling of depression.