A saint was once sitting under a tree and was deeply immersed in his prayers concentration. A young boy came near him, bowed and did namaskar to him. He said "Maharaj! I have come from very far in search of you, I have been wondering around for days asking people about you and finally I have come to you. I am very tired and desperate to know about God and Atma. I have been to many religious places, met many priest and saints, but none could satisfy my this strong desire to know about the Almighty. I could not find God anywhere and I don't know what is Atma and Paramatma. Please do not disappoint me. Please quench my this thirst. Please help me to get darshan of Paramatma."
The saint looked at him from top to bottom and was observing him deeply to know whether he has the true desire or this is just a temporary wish. The saint replied "friend, it is very cold and winter time, the sun is also about to set and it is getting dark and the fire from this dhooni has extinguished and only the ashes are left. Now take these burnt wooden logs, search for any spark left in the ashes and with the help of the spark(angaar) lit the fire again. Our conversation will last for whole night, we will take the heat from the fire and I will go on answering your questions."
There was heap of ashes lying there and the young boy took a stick and went on searching for any spark left in the ashes. Then he told the saint that there no sparks left in this heap of ashes, the fire has been totally turned into ashes. The saint said "Pay more attention, concentrate more" The boy tried again still he could not find the spark. The saint said "Pay more attention on the fire, not on ashes. From here only you can lit fire".
The boy got frustrated and said "when there is no spark, how can I search it?"
The saint politely said "give me the stick" He then went on digging the ashes. The boy said that you are wasting your time. But after one hour the saint could find a dim spark and told the boy that now you can see a spark. With this spark I will lit the fire and feel the heat to protect from this cold winter.
The saint then made the youth understand and realize that "As you were in a haste to search a spark from the heap of ashes and did not pay much attention and was in a hurry, same way to find Atma and Paramatma you have to work hard and have patience. God is within you, in your HEART, but you have no patience or least bothered to find HIM. You are in a hurry. Have patience God will come to you if you truly love and search him. Like when you dig a well, at some places the water comes out after little effort, some place it takes hours to find water, some places days and some place like deserts sometimes you cannot find water because you become restless and stop taking pains and efforts.
The saint then told the boy "Atma is definitely with us ,it is there within us and even God(Paramatma) is certainly within us. It is only the effort that counts. Some get is with little effort, some people have to struggle very hard to find him. But if you determined and strongly desire, you will definitely find HIM.
God - The Creator
Monday, 21 July 2008
Saturday, 19 July 2008
Friends and Foes
A Saint had some disciples. They used to always sit together and pray. Once the saint sat alone and was praying peacefully, the disciples followed him and quietly sat next to him. He closed his eyes, lifted his hands up and said "Oh! God, I can defend myself from my enemies but please help me from my friends, I cannot fight with them". The disciples heard this and then questioned him what are you praying to God for that "There is always fear and danger from friends, why from friends." Friends are always helpful when in need. They said "you were in dhyan while praying so may be by mistake you must have said to God to help you from friends and you can fight against your enemies instead you should have prayed to help from enemies".
The saint replied"NO, I was fully aware of what I was praying, there is no mistake.
He said "My Friend is this "I" and ME, MY EGO. My friend is this feeling of being a doer(karta ka bhav), of being myself. These friend they don't leave me, they are stuck to me. I am afraid of these friends. My enemies are anger, lust and desires, greediness, possessiveness (Kama, Krodh, lobh and Moha). I can fight with them. I can make them my slaves. They cannot dictate me. But, Oh! this I, Me ,Myself whom I love so much, they also love me so much, I cannot fight with them. Only God can help me to get rid of them. If my Ego is hurt, I feel like taking revenge, if somebody says I am egoistic, I get wild because I cannot hear anything against my friend.
You know in the last chapter of Gita i,e eighteenth chapter Lord Krishna told Arjun about Ego. If God had told him in the beginning Arjun would not be able to hear anything from Krishna.
Once a Fakir went to a state capital and was sleeping under a tree. It was dark night. When he woke up he saw some light. He looked around and saw a jugnu sitting in front of him. He had spread his wings and told the fakir "see it is because of me you can see light otherwise there is all darkness. The fakir told the jugnu insect "you are very nice, very sweet, this whole city is lit with your light, even sun and moon derive light from you." Jugnu's ego got bloated up, he jumped and sat on fakir's hand. He said "you are such a nice Maharaj, nobody has ever praised me so much." They became good friends and full night they went on talking. Slowly, slowly the fakirs love changed the jugnu's thoughts and he started behaving and talking like the Mahatma.
Same way Lord Krishna with his praises, love and affection changed Arjun, who being a warrior, had ego and Lord also with sweet words helped him to overcome depression.
Very few are lucky to have such friends who help them to get rid of ego and eradicate their depressive thoughts
The saint replied"NO, I was fully aware of what I was praying, there is no mistake.
He said "My Friend is this "I" and ME, MY EGO. My friend is this feeling of being a doer(karta ka bhav), of being myself. These friend they don't leave me, they are stuck to me. I am afraid of these friends. My enemies are anger, lust and desires, greediness, possessiveness (Kama, Krodh, lobh and Moha). I can fight with them. I can make them my slaves. They cannot dictate me. But, Oh! this I, Me ,Myself whom I love so much, they also love me so much, I cannot fight with them. Only God can help me to get rid of them. If my Ego is hurt, I feel like taking revenge, if somebody says I am egoistic, I get wild because I cannot hear anything against my friend.
You know in the last chapter of Gita i,e eighteenth chapter Lord Krishna told Arjun about Ego. If God had told him in the beginning Arjun would not be able to hear anything from Krishna.
Once a Fakir went to a state capital and was sleeping under a tree. It was dark night. When he woke up he saw some light. He looked around and saw a jugnu sitting in front of him. He had spread his wings and told the fakir "see it is because of me you can see light otherwise there is all darkness. The fakir told the jugnu insect "you are very nice, very sweet, this whole city is lit with your light, even sun and moon derive light from you." Jugnu's ego got bloated up, he jumped and sat on fakir's hand. He said "you are such a nice Maharaj, nobody has ever praised me so much." They became good friends and full night they went on talking. Slowly, slowly the fakirs love changed the jugnu's thoughts and he started behaving and talking like the Mahatma.
Same way Lord Krishna with his praises, love and affection changed Arjun, who being a warrior, had ego and Lord also with sweet words helped him to overcome depression.
Very few are lucky to have such friends who help them to get rid of ego and eradicate their depressive thoughts
Tuesday, 15 July 2008
Firm Behaviour and Strong Determination
Lord Krishna once told Arjun that you should have firm behaviour and strong determination. You being a warrior at one time don't want to fight against your near and dear ones, another time you look depressive and want to become a saint. You are born a prince and your nature is that of a warrior, you cannot escape that so you should have a strong behaviour and face all odds to prove you are a prince.
Do we have a firm behaviour, do we stick to one point. There are certain people who have firm belief and strong determination.
Once a saint reached the capital of a state. He was alone and did not know anybody there. It was winter season with heavy rains and almost it was getting dark. He thought of going to temple to take shelter there. But the priest of the temple did not allow him. He told him that without any acquaintance he cannot allow him spent a night in the temple as anybody can disguise as a saint and cheat us. We are sorry about it. He went to Church, then he approached mosque but he got the same reply. He asked many people but none helped him and it became very late at night. He walked further and finally saw a man standing near a big building. He requested him to tell people that you know me so that I can spent one night peacefully due to cold and rain. The man looked at him, he saw that he was some Mahatma. He said "My acquaintance will not serve your purpose as I a am famous thief. I steal from people's houses and that is my earning. Since you want to spend one night you can stay in my small house.
The saint became hesitant, got scared that how could he stay in a thief's house. Here the thief is showing his honesty and he is firm , but the saint is reluctant and worried about what would people think about him. The thief said "decide fast because this is my business time and I don't stay in my house during night". Here the thief should get scared that in the saint's company he will not be able to steal but on the contrary saint is scared of the thief. Anyway the saint agreed to stay in the thief's house. The thief told him that "In the morning I will ring the bell, you open the door for me, foodstuff and other thing are kept, you can have them".
Morning when the thief returned, the saint asked him that did he get anything. He replied and said "No, "why to worry,why get scared, so many days, so many years are left, so many night to go, some or the other day I will get it." But there was absolute peace and a feeling of contentment on the thief's face.
Mahatma said "You are great, Least bothered."
Mahatma stayed for one month with that thief but he did not get anything. There was no bitterness, no disappointment. Always smiling. The Mahatma in his mind said to himself that I appreciated his firm determination and not losing hopes, always trying, I do pranaam to his strong behaviour. He said to the thief "I will pray for you that this bad habit of your dies and with your strong will power you can make money through fair means". The saint's prayer for the thief was heard and he started small business of selling fruits, vegetables and being satisfied with whatever he earned.
How about us? If we face any problem we fight with God, stop praying and going to temples. We are never firm and satisfied, always craving for more and in the end stressed out or face depression. Be firm, never lose hope or courage, your will power will bring out fruitful results. All your negative thoughts will disappear and you will definitely find your path.
Do we have a firm behaviour, do we stick to one point. There are certain people who have firm belief and strong determination.
Once a saint reached the capital of a state. He was alone and did not know anybody there. It was winter season with heavy rains and almost it was getting dark. He thought of going to temple to take shelter there. But the priest of the temple did not allow him. He told him that without any acquaintance he cannot allow him spent a night in the temple as anybody can disguise as a saint and cheat us. We are sorry about it. He went to Church, then he approached mosque but he got the same reply. He asked many people but none helped him and it became very late at night. He walked further and finally saw a man standing near a big building. He requested him to tell people that you know me so that I can spent one night peacefully due to cold and rain. The man looked at him, he saw that he was some Mahatma. He said "My acquaintance will not serve your purpose as I a am famous thief. I steal from people's houses and that is my earning. Since you want to spend one night you can stay in my small house.
The saint became hesitant, got scared that how could he stay in a thief's house. Here the thief is showing his honesty and he is firm , but the saint is reluctant and worried about what would people think about him. The thief said "decide fast because this is my business time and I don't stay in my house during night". Here the thief should get scared that in the saint's company he will not be able to steal but on the contrary saint is scared of the thief. Anyway the saint agreed to stay in the thief's house. The thief told him that "In the morning I will ring the bell, you open the door for me, foodstuff and other thing are kept, you can have them".
Morning when the thief returned, the saint asked him that did he get anything. He replied and said "No, "why to worry,why get scared, so many days, so many years are left, so many night to go, some or the other day I will get it." But there was absolute peace and a feeling of contentment on the thief's face.
Mahatma said "You are great, Least bothered."
Mahatma stayed for one month with that thief but he did not get anything. There was no bitterness, no disappointment. Always smiling. The Mahatma in his mind said to himself that I appreciated his firm determination and not losing hopes, always trying, I do pranaam to his strong behaviour. He said to the thief "I will pray for you that this bad habit of your dies and with your strong will power you can make money through fair means". The saint's prayer for the thief was heard and he started small business of selling fruits, vegetables and being satisfied with whatever he earned.
How about us? If we face any problem we fight with God, stop praying and going to temples. We are never firm and satisfied, always craving for more and in the end stressed out or face depression. Be firm, never lose hope or courage, your will power will bring out fruitful results. All your negative thoughts will disappear and you will definitely find your path.
Saturday, 12 July 2008
Body and Soul (Shareer aur Atma)
In our day to day life we mostly talk of satsang , knowledge about God, hear from others and discuss about soul i.e our Atma, but we truely don't know what is Atma. These are just talks. But frankly speaking we are stuck and bonded with only our body, our physical needs and looks. We want to look beautiful and attractive or impress others with our good behaviour or talk politely etc or for any matter like for eating, drinking, sleeping, we are restricted to only our body and mind. There is something far beyond where we don't want reach and understand.
Once Sant Kabir's neighbourhood somebody passed away. The relatives started crying and screaming bitterly. Kabir heard the noise and asked people around what was the matter. He was told that a man of the family has died and family members are crying. He thens went to sympathize with his neighbour. When he went there he was surprised to hear a man giving lecture to family members by saying that not to cry. He was telling that if you are crying for body than see it is lying motionless in front of you and if you are crying for Atma then Atma does not die, it is amar and ajar. Kabir was thinking that such a Knowledgeable man is residing near my house and I am not aware of it and this man knows that soul is forever, never dies. He thought he should attend his satsang and make friendship with him.
After two to three months Kabir saw that the person who was giving knowledge about soul to the family where death had occurred, was crying and weeping bitterly. The family members of the family where death had taken place before were trying to console him by repeating the same words that Atma is amar and ajar, the soul never dies. This shows that we have no knowledge about death and the feelings, we just talk, we are not interested in going deep into somebody' sorrow, we just console and talk but when the same thing happens with us we cannot take those talks easily, we cannot swallow or understand the other person's superfluous knowledge about Soul and Body.
Once Sant Kabir's neighbourhood somebody passed away. The relatives started crying and screaming bitterly. Kabir heard the noise and asked people around what was the matter. He was told that a man of the family has died and family members are crying. He thens went to sympathize with his neighbour. When he went there he was surprised to hear a man giving lecture to family members by saying that not to cry. He was telling that if you are crying for body than see it is lying motionless in front of you and if you are crying for Atma then Atma does not die, it is amar and ajar. Kabir was thinking that such a Knowledgeable man is residing near my house and I am not aware of it and this man knows that soul is forever, never dies. He thought he should attend his satsang and make friendship with him.
After two to three months Kabir saw that the person who was giving knowledge about soul to the family where death had occurred, was crying and weeping bitterly. The family members of the family where death had taken place before were trying to console him by repeating the same words that Atma is amar and ajar, the soul never dies. This shows that we have no knowledge about death and the feelings, we just talk, we are not interested in going deep into somebody' sorrow, we just console and talk but when the same thing happens with us we cannot take those talks easily, we cannot swallow or understand the other person's superfluous knowledge about Soul and Body.
Monday, 7 July 2008
March Ahead with your duty,Do Not look Back For Results
You must do your duty honestly and leave the rest to God. Lord Krishna told Arjun Do your Karam and Results leave it to me. If you wish to ask something from God then ask him to accept you as your are, good or bad, paapi or dharmatma, khara or khota. Just surrender to him as you are.
If you beg something from God then tell him to become yours for ever. If he is with you then there is no need to ask anything from him as HE knows everything. Whatever is good and in your favour he will definitely give you.
Once a very rich lady had faced severe depression, she had become mentally unstable.
She spent crores of rupees on her treatment. She went abroad for the treatment, but of no avail. Then she came back to her native place. Her friend suggested her to visit a small village where a vaidhya's home remedy will help her. She thought that since she has tried all means, why not try this also. She went to the vaidhya and explained to him about her problem. He gave her some Ayurvedic medicine. Within few days she became perfectly alright. She was so impressed by him that she offered him a bag full of money and some ornaments of diamonds and gold. The vaidhya was not happy with the bag, without opening he said that he does not want this bag, just give me my fees. The lady was surprised she took back the bag and asked him how much was the fees. He said only Rs.300 is my fees. She offered him Rs. 300 . She then opened the bag in front of him and showed him that there were lakhs of rupees and ornaments of gold and diamond. But still she gave one thousand rupees and left. Then his friends laughed at him and told him that you faced a major loss,the lady was giving lakhs of rupees and you did not accept it. Hearing this the vaidhya felt very bad and he went into depression.
So leave everything to God, He will give you more than you require. But don't loose heart if you happen to miss it. Just relax and be contented with whatever is rightfully yours.
If you beg something from God then tell him to become yours for ever. If he is with you then there is no need to ask anything from him as HE knows everything. Whatever is good and in your favour he will definitely give you.
Once a very rich lady had faced severe depression, she had become mentally unstable.
She spent crores of rupees on her treatment. She went abroad for the treatment, but of no avail. Then she came back to her native place. Her friend suggested her to visit a small village where a vaidhya's home remedy will help her. She thought that since she has tried all means, why not try this also. She went to the vaidhya and explained to him about her problem. He gave her some Ayurvedic medicine. Within few days she became perfectly alright. She was so impressed by him that she offered him a bag full of money and some ornaments of diamonds and gold. The vaidhya was not happy with the bag, without opening he said that he does not want this bag, just give me my fees. The lady was surprised she took back the bag and asked him how much was the fees. He said only Rs.300 is my fees. She offered him Rs. 300 . She then opened the bag in front of him and showed him that there were lakhs of rupees and ornaments of gold and diamond. But still she gave one thousand rupees and left. Then his friends laughed at him and told him that you faced a major loss,the lady was giving lakhs of rupees and you did not accept it. Hearing this the vaidhya felt very bad and he went into depression.
So leave everything to God, He will give you more than you require. But don't loose heart if you happen to miss it. Just relax and be contented with whatever is rightfully yours.
Monday, 30 June 2008
Two Bhakts - Sagun sakaar & Nirgun Nirakaar
Once Arjun asked Lord Krishna that you have two type of bhakts, sagun sakaar the one who believes in idols or statues of God and Nirgun Nirakaar is the one who believes that God is everywhere and in everybody, which is your favourite? It s like asking somebody which is your favourite eye, now what answer to give for that as both the eyes are equally precious.
It is like a mother who has two children. One is small three months old child and and another is 15-20 years old. If somebody requests the mother to give him any one of her child, keep only one with her. What would the mother do if the circumstances force her to do so? Firstly the mother will flatly refuse, but if due to certain reason she has to give her child to somebody she will say my both the sons are precious, I cannot stay without them. Both the sons will remain with me. But still somebody insists then she will say "The one who is sleeping in the swing(palna) cannot stay without me nor can I stay without him because he is just three months old. If he feels hungry and thirsty he would cry and call out his mother. For him everything is his mother because he can express only through crying. He cannot stay without me and I also cannot give him to anybody as I am not sure how will others take care of him. This child is like sagun sakaar upaasak.
Now the elder son who is 15 - 20 years old is matured enough. He can at least take care of his basic needs. He is educated and has some experience. He can at least stay without his mother. Mother is confident that this child of mine can face all odds of life and can find his way out. He knows how to keep in touch with me. He is Nirgun nirakaar upaasak. So the mother with a heavy heart would forcefully part with her elder son
Lord Krishna answered Arjun "The one who has surrendered his mind,his life, his soul and believes in sagun sakaar, he is very dear to me as I cannot stay without him nor can he stay without me. He talks to me through the idols in his house or temple But equally dear to me is the one who has attained knowledge and believes that I am everywhere like a Nirgun Nirakaar and has full faith in me and I have confidence in him."
The ultimate way to reach God is through your full faith and belief in him. It is not important how you pray or what religion you believe in. Most imprtant is your FAITH and TRUST
It is like a mother who has two children. One is small three months old child and and another is 15-20 years old. If somebody requests the mother to give him any one of her child, keep only one with her. What would the mother do if the circumstances force her to do so? Firstly the mother will flatly refuse, but if due to certain reason she has to give her child to somebody she will say my both the sons are precious, I cannot stay without them. Both the sons will remain with me. But still somebody insists then she will say "The one who is sleeping in the swing(palna) cannot stay without me nor can I stay without him because he is just three months old. If he feels hungry and thirsty he would cry and call out his mother. For him everything is his mother because he can express only through crying. He cannot stay without me and I also cannot give him to anybody as I am not sure how will others take care of him. This child is like sagun sakaar upaasak.
Now the elder son who is 15 - 20 years old is matured enough. He can at least take care of his basic needs. He is educated and has some experience. He can at least stay without his mother. Mother is confident that this child of mine can face all odds of life and can find his way out. He knows how to keep in touch with me. He is Nirgun nirakaar upaasak. So the mother with a heavy heart would forcefully part with her elder son
Lord Krishna answered Arjun "The one who has surrendered his mind,his life, his soul and believes in sagun sakaar, he is very dear to me as I cannot stay without him nor can he stay without me. He talks to me through the idols in his house or temple But equally dear to me is the one who has attained knowledge and believes that I am everywhere like a Nirgun Nirakaar and has full faith in me and I have confidence in him."
The ultimate way to reach God is through your full faith and belief in him. It is not important how you pray or what religion you believe in. Most imprtant is your FAITH and TRUST
Sunday, 29 June 2008
Gyandev and Namdev - Sagun Sakar and Nirgun Nirakaar Upasak
Gyandev once told Namdev that we are all going on a pilgrimage and you must join us. If you will not come, none of us will go. Please don't refuse. Namdev became silent, he did not know what to say. Then he told Gyandev that I will let you know after consulting my God. This is sagun sakaar upasana. Whenever we plan to go out we always say I will consult my friends, husband, relatives etc but we never say I will consult God. But Namdev used to strongly believe in God and each everything he used consult with God and then act.
Gyandev was a bhakt but Namdev was believer of statue or idol of God i.e. Sagun saakaar upasana. Gyandev believed that God is everywhere, he is not only in idols or statues but each and every nook and corner of this universe. When Namdev, Gyandev, Nivritinath, the three brothers and Muktabai, their sister reached Paithan, the Brahmins of Paithan said that by having the name Gyandev is not important, prove us. Our buffalo name is also Gyandev. Gyandev said " Yes! You said it right that there is no difference between this buffalo and me. She also has same atma like me." The Brahmin then hit the buffalo with a stick, the Brahmins could see the marks of stick on Gyandev's back. He said everywhere there is God. The Brahmins were surprised as Gyandev was believer of God as Nirgun Nirakaar.
Then amongst the crowd One Brahmin said we will only believe that God is everywhere and in everybody when you make this buffalo recite the Ved Mantra.. Gyandev politely kept his hand on the buffalo and the buffalo would repeat the Mantra that Gyandev would recite. He then did namaskar and took leave of the Brahmins.
But Namdev believed that God is only in statue to whim he prays and talks everyday. Gyandev then followed Namdev to see what is he doing. In padharpur Namdev starting crying bitterly like a child in front of Lord Pandurang and said that they are forcing me to go to pilgrimage but I don't want to leave you. He could see tears dripping from Pandurang's eyes also. Then Lord Pandurang handed over Namdev's hand to Gyaneshwar and "See Gyandev this Namu is very precious to me, I cannot stay with him. If you are taking him to the pilgrimage, you have to take care of him and I will wait for Namdev."
When they all left for pilgrimage, Namdev would not sleep and middle of the night he would wake and weep for his God. Gyandev used to always appreciate and would say your love of God is unique and would keep his hand on his back with love.
They went for their pilgrimage to different places and lastly they reached Kashi. They stayed in Gora Kumbhar house. He was the seniormost amongst them. He had a wand sort of thing with him. Then Muktabai, the sister of Gyandev asked him why has he kept this wand. He replied that with this he checks the pots to see which pot is strong and which is weak. Muktabai said that we are also like pots, why not test us also. Gora kumbhar picked up the wand and hit it on everybody's back to check how strongly they believed in God. Everybody took it lightly and remained quiet. But when he hit it on Namdev's back, he got angry and said that such great bhakts have come to you house as guests and you testing them by hitting. Everyone was silent.
After sometime Muktabai asked Gora Kumbhar that you did not tell us who is strong and weak amongst us. He said there is no need to tell as all of you are strong but only Namdev is weak. Muktabai asked what is the resaon for his being weak. Gorakumbhar replied that he does not have a Guru. He should have Guru to guide him. Namdev felt very ashamed. He said to himself that when God eats and drinks with my hand, he cries for me and I strongly believe and love him then where is the need to find a Guru, why should I make a Guru.
When Namdev returned back to Pandharpur, he wept bitterly in front of the idol of Lord Pandhrang. God hugged him and made him understand that when I took avtaar as a man, I too had to learn from a Guru, I also needed shelter and hands of Guru who would guide and help me to find the right path. You have to find a Guru, otherwise deep inside your heart the EGO within you will never allow you to learn more, will never make you open your inward eyes. Then Namdev calmed down and requested God to help him to find the right Guru. God then directed him to Visova Kshetra and told him him to make him your Guru.
Namdev went towards a hillside and saw Lord Shankar's temple. There he met Guru Visowa Kshetra, who was 100 years old. He saw that his both the legs on Lord Shankar's pindi. Namdev was grumbling to himself that such an old man has no respect for God, he does not realise that he has kept his leg on God's pindi. That minute Visowa Kshetra called out to Namdev and said "God has sent you to me. I am Visow Kshetra. My leg slipped and fell or Shankar's pindi, please pick up my legs and keep it somewhere else." When Namdev lifted his legs, he would find pindi coming out wherever he would put his legs. Visowa smiled and said now feel that Lord is everywhere, he is not only in the idol you pray to, but each and every bit of universe is his. Wherever you go, just think that God is everywhere and every bit of this universe.
Gyandev was a bhakt but Namdev was believer of statue or idol of God i.e. Sagun saakaar upasana. Gyandev believed that God is everywhere, he is not only in idols or statues but each and every nook and corner of this universe. When Namdev, Gyandev, Nivritinath, the three brothers and Muktabai, their sister reached Paithan, the Brahmins of Paithan said that by having the name Gyandev is not important, prove us. Our buffalo name is also Gyandev. Gyandev said " Yes! You said it right that there is no difference between this buffalo and me. She also has same atma like me." The Brahmin then hit the buffalo with a stick, the Brahmins could see the marks of stick on Gyandev's back. He said everywhere there is God. The Brahmins were surprised as Gyandev was believer of God as Nirgun Nirakaar.
Then amongst the crowd One Brahmin said we will only believe that God is everywhere and in everybody when you make this buffalo recite the Ved Mantra.. Gyandev politely kept his hand on the buffalo and the buffalo would repeat the Mantra that Gyandev would recite. He then did namaskar and took leave of the Brahmins.
But Namdev believed that God is only in statue to whim he prays and talks everyday. Gyandev then followed Namdev to see what is he doing. In padharpur Namdev starting crying bitterly like a child in front of Lord Pandurang and said that they are forcing me to go to pilgrimage but I don't want to leave you. He could see tears dripping from Pandurang's eyes also. Then Lord Pandurang handed over Namdev's hand to Gyaneshwar and "See Gyandev this Namu is very precious to me, I cannot stay with him. If you are taking him to the pilgrimage, you have to take care of him and I will wait for Namdev."
When they all left for pilgrimage, Namdev would not sleep and middle of the night he would wake and weep for his God. Gyandev used to always appreciate and would say your love of God is unique and would keep his hand on his back with love.
They went for their pilgrimage to different places and lastly they reached Kashi. They stayed in Gora Kumbhar house. He was the seniormost amongst them. He had a wand sort of thing with him. Then Muktabai, the sister of Gyandev asked him why has he kept this wand. He replied that with this he checks the pots to see which pot is strong and which is weak. Muktabai said that we are also like pots, why not test us also. Gora kumbhar picked up the wand and hit it on everybody's back to check how strongly they believed in God. Everybody took it lightly and remained quiet. But when he hit it on Namdev's back, he got angry and said that such great bhakts have come to you house as guests and you testing them by hitting. Everyone was silent.
After sometime Muktabai asked Gora Kumbhar that you did not tell us who is strong and weak amongst us. He said there is no need to tell as all of you are strong but only Namdev is weak. Muktabai asked what is the resaon for his being weak. Gorakumbhar replied that he does not have a Guru. He should have Guru to guide him. Namdev felt very ashamed. He said to himself that when God eats and drinks with my hand, he cries for me and I strongly believe and love him then where is the need to find a Guru, why should I make a Guru.
When Namdev returned back to Pandharpur, he wept bitterly in front of the idol of Lord Pandhrang. God hugged him and made him understand that when I took avtaar as a man, I too had to learn from a Guru, I also needed shelter and hands of Guru who would guide and help me to find the right path. You have to find a Guru, otherwise deep inside your heart the EGO within you will never allow you to learn more, will never make you open your inward eyes. Then Namdev calmed down and requested God to help him to find the right Guru. God then directed him to Visova Kshetra and told him him to make him your Guru.
Namdev went towards a hillside and saw Lord Shankar's temple. There he met Guru Visowa Kshetra, who was 100 years old. He saw that his both the legs on Lord Shankar's pindi. Namdev was grumbling to himself that such an old man has no respect for God, he does not realise that he has kept his leg on God's pindi. That minute Visowa Kshetra called out to Namdev and said "God has sent you to me. I am Visow Kshetra. My leg slipped and fell or Shankar's pindi, please pick up my legs and keep it somewhere else." When Namdev lifted his legs, he would find pindi coming out wherever he would put his legs. Visowa smiled and said now feel that Lord is everywhere, he is not only in the idol you pray to, but each and every bit of universe is his. Wherever you go, just think that God is everywhere and every bit of this universe.
Tuesday, 24 June 2008
Lord Narayan and his disciples
In Kanchi there is a temple of Lord Narayan. The priest of the temple is appointed by the King of the city. Once the king told the priest to leave the city as he was going to appoint another priest for this temple. This priest used to take care of an old Mahatma of the temple. He used to cook food, wash clothes, vessels etc and all possible care of that old Mahatma. The priest had no choice but to obey king's command. When the priest was to leave, he came and touched the feet of the old Mahatma and told him I am leaving the city as I have been ordered by the king to quit this job. The old Mahatma immediately got up and said "since you are leaving the city, what will I do over here, nobody can take better care of me than you, I will also come with you." Both of them got ready to leave the temple and the city.
When they were going, the Mahatama told the priest that it is our duty to inform Lord Narayan also before leaving. They then joined hands prayed to God Narayan and wanted to take leave from him. Then Narayan, who was sitting on the throne of sheshnag and mouth of sheshnag is like a chatra(shelter), he said if you both are leaving then what would I do over here. I will also join you. They all carried their belongings and Lord Narayan also packed up is sheshnag throne.
When Lord Narayan was about to leave, the entire city became dark, there was no sunlight. The king immediately came running and saw Lord Narayan, the old Mahatma and priest are going together, the king begged sorry from God and apologised for his mistake. He told God not to leave the city. The Lord replied"I always go behind my true bhakt, my disciple. I can't stay without them. If you really want me to stay back in this city then you must request the Mahatma and the priest to stay back. The king begged sorry form both of them and asked the pujari to continue serving the temple rituals.
The priest and the Mahatma kept their belongings back and Lord Narayan also unpacked his Sheshnag throne. In a hurry the sheshnag's mouth i.e. the face turned backwards i.e. on the reverse side. Till today the chatra is on the revere direction . If you visit Kanchi you will find that sheshnag throne in that temple has the face of sheshnag throne is on the reverse direction.
When they were going, the Mahatama told the priest that it is our duty to inform Lord Narayan also before leaving. They then joined hands prayed to God Narayan and wanted to take leave from him. Then Narayan, who was sitting on the throne of sheshnag and mouth of sheshnag is like a chatra(shelter), he said if you both are leaving then what would I do over here. I will also join you. They all carried their belongings and Lord Narayan also packed up is sheshnag throne.
When Lord Narayan was about to leave, the entire city became dark, there was no sunlight. The king immediately came running and saw Lord Narayan, the old Mahatma and priest are going together, the king begged sorry from God and apologised for his mistake. He told God not to leave the city. The Lord replied"I always go behind my true bhakt, my disciple. I can't stay without them. If you really want me to stay back in this city then you must request the Mahatma and the priest to stay back. The king begged sorry form both of them and asked the pujari to continue serving the temple rituals.
The priest and the Mahatma kept their belongings back and Lord Narayan also unpacked his Sheshnag throne. In a hurry the sheshnag's mouth i.e. the face turned backwards i.e. on the reverse side. Till today the chatra is on the revere direction . If you visit Kanchi you will find that sheshnag throne in that temple has the face of sheshnag throne is on the reverse direction.
Saturday, 14 June 2008
Story of King Vikramaditya
King Vlikramaditya very often used to disguise himself into ordinary man to check and understand the problems of the people of his kingdom. He was always ready to help anybody in need and would take personal care to see that people are happy. No one should be poor or hungry.
Once early morning he was riding on his horse towards a jungle. While returning it became evening time and the sun was setting. Later it became quite dark. On the way he saw a cow was mooing, sort of crying. He diverted his horse towards that direction. He came near a pond and saw the water had dried and cow was stuck in the wet sand. She was trying to come out, but could not. Then the king tied his horse with a tree. He tried to pull the cow out from that pond but all his efforts were in vain, nothing worked. Then a lion came over there to eat the cow, he saw many other wild animals trying to gherao the cow. Near the pond there was a peepal tree, a parrot was sitting on it. The parrot said " oh! King Vikramaditya this cow is anyway going to die, today or tomorrow, why don't you runaway from this jungle as your life is also at stake. These wild animal will not spare you. Why not save your life and leave the cow alone."
The King looked at the parrot and replied "Oh, the beautiful bird, why are you teaching me inhuman lesson. For oneself and for one's own family or community everybody sacrifices their lives but for others very few do. Why? My life and family life is precious, animals also want to live. Only you have the right to live, others also equally want to live. For them life is equally precious as is for us. I will try my best to save this cow." Full night he took care of the cow. Next day early morning before sunrise, he looked around he saw there was no lion, no wild animals, no parrot. He was surprised to see Devraj Indra, on to his right was Earth and to the left human religion. Devraj Indra had disguised himself as lion, Earth was disguised cow and human rights was the parrot. Indra was so impressed by King Vikramditya that he presented him with Kamdhenu cow.
God, the Almighty is not pleased only with puja, prayers, but he is pleased with those who surrender to him with full faith and work hard for mankind and humanity.
Once early morning he was riding on his horse towards a jungle. While returning it became evening time and the sun was setting. Later it became quite dark. On the way he saw a cow was mooing, sort of crying. He diverted his horse towards that direction. He came near a pond and saw the water had dried and cow was stuck in the wet sand. She was trying to come out, but could not. Then the king tied his horse with a tree. He tried to pull the cow out from that pond but all his efforts were in vain, nothing worked. Then a lion came over there to eat the cow, he saw many other wild animals trying to gherao the cow. Near the pond there was a peepal tree, a parrot was sitting on it. The parrot said " oh! King Vikramaditya this cow is anyway going to die, today or tomorrow, why don't you runaway from this jungle as your life is also at stake. These wild animal will not spare you. Why not save your life and leave the cow alone."
The King looked at the parrot and replied "Oh, the beautiful bird, why are you teaching me inhuman lesson. For oneself and for one's own family or community everybody sacrifices their lives but for others very few do. Why? My life and family life is precious, animals also want to live. Only you have the right to live, others also equally want to live. For them life is equally precious as is for us. I will try my best to save this cow." Full night he took care of the cow. Next day early morning before sunrise, he looked around he saw there was no lion, no wild animals, no parrot. He was surprised to see Devraj Indra, on to his right was Earth and to the left human religion. Devraj Indra had disguised himself as lion, Earth was disguised cow and human rights was the parrot. Indra was so impressed by King Vikramditya that he presented him with Kamdhenu cow.
God, the Almighty is not pleased only with puja, prayers, but he is pleased with those who surrender to him with full faith and work hard for mankind and humanity.
Wednesday, 11 June 2008
Surrender to God in full, not in bits
Once Swami Ramakrishna Paramhans was giving lectures(satsang) to his disciples. During that time a man, who was a rich businessman, entered the hall. He had five hundred golden coins in his purse and he was trying to attract people by making noise with the coins. Later he opened and handed over the purse to Swamiji. Swami Paramhans laughed and gave a faint smile. Now all those present there became inquisitive, they wanted to know what was in the purse. The businessman said "This a small gift for you, please accept it." Swamiji then replied " I accept anything, even your abuses or if anybody insults me, criticizes me , I accept that also as a gift. If anybody throws mud or dirt on me, cow dung etc.I accept it with smile, but Oh! you have offered me so many golden coins, why should I refuse this, I accept this also with grace.
Then Swami Paramhas asked that man that since these coins were closed in a purse, why did you open and gave it to me, if you really intend to give me this gift, you could have peacefully placed in front of me, where was the need to make a show of it. You have disturbed everybody, even my satsang got disturbed. Then the man apologised and begged sorry from Swamiji. Swamiji said "You have offered me five hundred golden coins,now you should not have any possessiveness or attachment towards them, from now on they belong to me. In front of entire public the man agreed that and said "these coins are now yours, swamiji, I have no attachment or any binding on them." Then swamiji immediately ordered him to throw these coins in Ganga river.
The man's hands and legs started shivering. He was thinking how could he throw five hundred golden coins in river, has swamiji gone mad. People say that swamiji is mad, now I totally believe in what people say about swamiji. The man was in a fix as he had already agreed that these coins do not belong to him , swamiji has full right over them. Swami Vivekanand was also sitting next to Swami Paramhans.
The man finally went towards the river to throw these coins in river Ganga and sat down at the edge of the river. When it became very long and the man did not return, Swami Paramhans told Narendra(Swami Vivekanand) to check what is the man doing near the river.
When Narendra went there, he saw the man was counting each and every coin and throwing them slowly with bitter heart in the river. He was sweating, then Narendra took the purse from his hand and threw all the coins in one instance. He then pulled his hand and brought him near Swami Ramakrishna. Swamuji then explained to him that when you have surrendered anything, surrender it with full heart. Since you said they are mine, it is now my look out what should I do with it. Now you canoot stake claim over it.
When we surrender or offer anything to God, we offer in full, not in bits. We don't offer our nose, or eyes, or hands etc. No the true worshiper will surrender everything in an instance. God does not want your money, your flowers or anything. Everything is his which we enjoy today. He has given us good brains to do research, think, judge, good body to enjoy the beautiful world. But what have done in return. God is pleased with us when we surrender everything to him. He will take care, you cannot stake claim to his belongings, it is temporary amanat. Take care of it as one day you have to forcefully return it to him. So why not willingly offer him and leave the rest to him. When a person dies his entire body dies, not in parts.
Then Swami Paramhas asked that man that since these coins were closed in a purse, why did you open and gave it to me, if you really intend to give me this gift, you could have peacefully placed in front of me, where was the need to make a show of it. You have disturbed everybody, even my satsang got disturbed. Then the man apologised and begged sorry from Swamiji. Swamiji said "You have offered me five hundred golden coins,now you should not have any possessiveness or attachment towards them, from now on they belong to me. In front of entire public the man agreed that and said "these coins are now yours, swamiji, I have no attachment or any binding on them." Then swamiji immediately ordered him to throw these coins in Ganga river.
The man's hands and legs started shivering. He was thinking how could he throw five hundred golden coins in river, has swamiji gone mad. People say that swamiji is mad, now I totally believe in what people say about swamiji. The man was in a fix as he had already agreed that these coins do not belong to him , swamiji has full right over them. Swami Vivekanand was also sitting next to Swami Paramhans.
The man finally went towards the river to throw these coins in river Ganga and sat down at the edge of the river. When it became very long and the man did not return, Swami Paramhans told Narendra(Swami Vivekanand) to check what is the man doing near the river.
When Narendra went there, he saw the man was counting each and every coin and throwing them slowly with bitter heart in the river. He was sweating, then Narendra took the purse from his hand and threw all the coins in one instance. He then pulled his hand and brought him near Swami Ramakrishna. Swamuji then explained to him that when you have surrendered anything, surrender it with full heart. Since you said they are mine, it is now my look out what should I do with it. Now you canoot stake claim over it.
When we surrender or offer anything to God, we offer in full, not in bits. We don't offer our nose, or eyes, or hands etc. No the true worshiper will surrender everything in an instance. God does not want your money, your flowers or anything. Everything is his which we enjoy today. He has given us good brains to do research, think, judge, good body to enjoy the beautiful world. But what have done in return. God is pleased with us when we surrender everything to him. He will take care, you cannot stake claim to his belongings, it is temporary amanat. Take care of it as one day you have to forcefully return it to him. So why not willingly offer him and leave the rest to him. When a person dies his entire body dies, not in parts.
Wednesday, 4 June 2008
Pray to God everyday, Not for Last days?
This is a true story. There used to be a Mahatma in Haridwar who would visit his disciple's house once in six months. He would stay in their house for 10-15 days. The disciple's family members would respect him and would be at his service with due respect. The Mahatma had few books and told the family members to keep these books with them as he would come to their house after two months and collect it from them.
Two months passed by, one year went, there was no news of the Mahatma. Then after sometime another Mahatma, who was the friend of that Mahatma visited their house. They told him everything about him and asked him to when he will come to collect his books. The other Mahatma was surprised. He said that he passed away during kumbh mela, he is no more. The family then sympathized for his death and showed him the envelope covered with a cloth in which the books were kept. They requested him to keep the books with him. He then removed the cover and was shocked to see a small pale colour snake. The Mahatma kept the books down and told them to get something like chimta to hold the snake. He captured the snake in the chimta and opened the books. He saw inside one of books there were five golden coins in it. He took five coins in his hand and added one more to it. He promised in front of the snake that tomorrow with these coin we will offer lunch to Brahmins and family members. He sprinkled some holy water on the snake and within seconds the snake died.
Never make promises which you cannot fulfill. We leave everything for future and nobody knows what future holds for us. We normally say that I will do puja, attend satsang when I grow old. This is all old people job. Do your daily routine work but inside always think of him. There is no need to make show of it. Inside only you and your lord know everything. Let me enjoy now, but we don't know our life span. How can we make tall claims. Do not live for last days, live for present.
Two months passed by, one year went, there was no news of the Mahatma. Then after sometime another Mahatma, who was the friend of that Mahatma visited their house. They told him everything about him and asked him to when he will come to collect his books. The other Mahatma was surprised. He said that he passed away during kumbh mela, he is no more. The family then sympathized for his death and showed him the envelope covered with a cloth in which the books were kept. They requested him to keep the books with him. He then removed the cover and was shocked to see a small pale colour snake. The Mahatma kept the books down and told them to get something like chimta to hold the snake. He captured the snake in the chimta and opened the books. He saw inside one of books there were five golden coins in it. He took five coins in his hand and added one more to it. He promised in front of the snake that tomorrow with these coin we will offer lunch to Brahmins and family members. He sprinkled some holy water on the snake and within seconds the snake died.
Never make promises which you cannot fulfill. We leave everything for future and nobody knows what future holds for us. We normally say that I will do puja, attend satsang when I grow old. This is all old people job. Do your daily routine work but inside always think of him. There is no need to make show of it. Inside only you and your lord know everything. Let me enjoy now, but we don't know our life span. How can we make tall claims. Do not live for last days, live for present.
Saturday, 31 May 2008
God decides and gives us the Best
This is a story from Budha Granth. It is a story from Tibet.
There was once a Mahatma, he went for pilgrimage and toured around the world. After returning from his trip, he went back to Tibet, he stayed in his friends house. His friend and his wife welcomed him. He told his friend that while on his trip, he found a Taveez from one place. There is one specialty of this taveez that if you demand any three things from it, you will definitely get it. This trick I and friends tried, we demanded three things, we got them but later on we landed up in grave trouble and it was difficult to overcome that problem. I am going to finish this taveez, destroy it. His friend instantly said "You have gone crazy, such a miraculous thing and you want to destroy it. He immediately snatched it from Mahatma's hand and kept it with him. The Mahatma warned him that be careful otherwise you will land up in trouble. Leave it to God and don't use this taveez. He also told him that early morning, close the door, then hold this taveez and ask for whatever you want. The taveez will flick from your hand and fall on the floor and ten minutes after that your demand will be fulfilled. But be cautious.
Next morning the friend of Mahatma and his wife woke up, closed the door of his house and demanded from the taveez that "please give us one lakh rupees." In those days one lakh was never heard of, very few people could afford that much money. The taveez flickered from his hand and fell on the floor. Within ten minutes somebody knocked at their door. When they opened the door they saw that Kings' soldier had come to their house. The soldier then told them that King has called you to his palace to give you one lakh rupees. They asked why? The soldier said that your son, who was in front has been killed in the war, so the king is offering this money in compensation.
They had only one child, they started screaming and crying bitterly that what would they do with the money, we want our son back. His wife immediately reminded him about taveez and said "why not ask from taveez our son back.' The man said that the Mahatma had warned us that it will lead us in trouble, we still have two demands. They flickered the taveez and demanded that they get back their son. The son had died sometime back, he could not be made alive as his body had decayed, his soul(pretatma) came. They could not see him, only hear him calling them "Oh!mother ,Oh!father. Twenty four hours they had to bear his soul which could not do anything for them and made their life miserable. Finally they got fed up and requested the taveez to take back the soul of their son, let it live in peace.
This story indicates that we should not demand or pressurize God to give us things which we need. Leave it to Him, He knows what is best for us. You pray to him and beg him to keep you away from sin.
There was once a Mahatma, he went for pilgrimage and toured around the world. After returning from his trip, he went back to Tibet, he stayed in his friends house. His friend and his wife welcomed him. He told his friend that while on his trip, he found a Taveez from one place. There is one specialty of this taveez that if you demand any three things from it, you will definitely get it. This trick I and friends tried, we demanded three things, we got them but later on we landed up in grave trouble and it was difficult to overcome that problem. I am going to finish this taveez, destroy it. His friend instantly said "You have gone crazy, such a miraculous thing and you want to destroy it. He immediately snatched it from Mahatma's hand and kept it with him. The Mahatma warned him that be careful otherwise you will land up in trouble. Leave it to God and don't use this taveez. He also told him that early morning, close the door, then hold this taveez and ask for whatever you want. The taveez will flick from your hand and fall on the floor and ten minutes after that your demand will be fulfilled. But be cautious.
Next morning the friend of Mahatma and his wife woke up, closed the door of his house and demanded from the taveez that "please give us one lakh rupees." In those days one lakh was never heard of, very few people could afford that much money. The taveez flickered from his hand and fell on the floor. Within ten minutes somebody knocked at their door. When they opened the door they saw that Kings' soldier had come to their house. The soldier then told them that King has called you to his palace to give you one lakh rupees. They asked why? The soldier said that your son, who was in front has been killed in the war, so the king is offering this money in compensation.
They had only one child, they started screaming and crying bitterly that what would they do with the money, we want our son back. His wife immediately reminded him about taveez and said "why not ask from taveez our son back.' The man said that the Mahatma had warned us that it will lead us in trouble, we still have two demands. They flickered the taveez and demanded that they get back their son. The son had died sometime back, he could not be made alive as his body had decayed, his soul(pretatma) came. They could not see him, only hear him calling them "Oh!mother ,Oh!father. Twenty four hours they had to bear his soul which could not do anything for them and made their life miserable. Finally they got fed up and requested the taveez to take back the soul of their son, let it live in peace.
This story indicates that we should not demand or pressurize God to give us things which we need. Leave it to Him, He knows what is best for us. You pray to him and beg him to keep you away from sin.
Saturday, 24 May 2008
Help others but do not put a stamp on it
One day a Mahatma went to take bath in a river. The river was quite deep, so while taking bath he slipped and could not come out as he did not know to swim. He was about to drown, a young boy, who knew to swim was passing by, he immediately rushed towards him and rescued him from drowning. The Mahatma then thanked him and said that today you saved my life and I bless you for the same. You have given me new lease of life and I will never forget this in my life. After saying this Mahatma went to a small village.
It was evening time and Mahatma was giving spiritual discourses to his disciples in the village. Many people had gathered there. It was was very crowded. Amidst the crowd the youth who saved the Mahatma's life came in front of him and told him to tell all the people here that I saved your life. The Mahatma smiled and said " Oh! How can I forget you? He called him near him and told all the people gathered over there that this boy has saved my life and I am highly obliged to him for the favour he has done to me. After that the Mahatma went to another village to give lecture, the young boy reached there also and told him to tell everybody the incidence and the favour he has done to you. Now whereever the Mahatma would go the boy would follow him and make him aware of the help he gave him so that the Mahatma would tell his disciples that how important the boy is in his life.
The Mahatma once caught hold of his hand and in front of everybody he said"come with me to the river where you saved me from drowing. I will go in the deep river,either I die or I come out of waves, you please don't help me. You are making a big show of the favours you have done to me. You saved my lives once and how many I had to repeat the same incidence. Please go I don't need any help from you, My Lord will decide to save me or drown me in the river. Who are you to put a stamp on the favours. Had you not known to swim, would you help me."
The young boy kept mum and realized his mistake. Aren't we like the young boy, always repeating and making others feel that we are very important in their life.
All the qua;ities we have are bestowed upon us by the Almighty, we should not bring our ego in between. We always wait for appreciation from others for the help or favours done to them. We never realise that sometimes it may be irritating for them to repeat the help we have given them.
It was evening time and Mahatma was giving spiritual discourses to his disciples in the village. Many people had gathered there. It was was very crowded. Amidst the crowd the youth who saved the Mahatma's life came in front of him and told him to tell all the people here that I saved your life. The Mahatma smiled and said " Oh! How can I forget you? He called him near him and told all the people gathered over there that this boy has saved my life and I am highly obliged to him for the favour he has done to me. After that the Mahatma went to another village to give lecture, the young boy reached there also and told him to tell everybody the incidence and the favour he has done to you. Now whereever the Mahatma would go the boy would follow him and make him aware of the help he gave him so that the Mahatma would tell his disciples that how important the boy is in his life.
The Mahatma once caught hold of his hand and in front of everybody he said"come with me to the river where you saved me from drowing. I will go in the deep river,either I die or I come out of waves, you please don't help me. You are making a big show of the favours you have done to me. You saved my lives once and how many I had to repeat the same incidence. Please go I don't need any help from you, My Lord will decide to save me or drown me in the river. Who are you to put a stamp on the favours. Had you not known to swim, would you help me."
The young boy kept mum and realized his mistake. Aren't we like the young boy, always repeating and making others feel that we are very important in their life.
All the qua;ities we have are bestowed upon us by the Almighty, we should not bring our ego in between. We always wait for appreciation from others for the help or favours done to them. We never realise that sometimes it may be irritating for them to repeat the help we have given them.
Friday, 23 May 2008
Do your karma, leave rest to Almighty
A king once went alone for hunting. While he was returning it became too dark and he was in the midst of a jungle. He could not find his way. He looked around here and there and saw from far a dim light. He went in that direction and met an old tribal couple sitting with a lantern lit inside their hut. He told them his plight that he is the king of this place and while hunting he has lost his way. He requested them to give him shelter for one night as he was very tired. The tribal couple went forward and made place for the king to sleep in their hut. The king thanked them and as he was very tired he immediately went to sleep.
The tribal couple slept outside their hut. It was very dark and cold, they were shivering but still they did not complain and made place for the king to sleep peacefully.
When early morning king got up, he saw the couple were dead due to snowfall. The king felt very sad but that minute his soldiers came and urged him to go back to the palace. The king mind was not agreeing, he was feeling very sorry and ashamed that because of him the couple had to sacrifice their life. How selfish he can be. Then he made arrangement for their cremation with sandal wood.
The king used to always worry about the tribal couple. The king did not have any children for many years. After a year the queen delivered twins, a girl and a boy. But still the king was not happy, he did not make any celebrations for the birth of his children. He was very depressed and all the time the death of tribal couple would haunt him, he used to think that he has committed grave sin. So he decided to meet his Guru, the saint.
He took blessings of his Guru and narrated the entire incidence and said that I am very worried about the sin I committed. The Guru smiled at him and said "You have not committed any sin or crime, come with me." He took the king towards the twins, kept his hand on them and said "look! who has taken birth in your house? The king was surprised and amused to the tribal couple have taken birth as his children in his house.
He felt very happy and thanked his Guru. The Guru said that your good karma has given these children to you. As in your mind you would always feel bad for the death of the couple, that feeling itself has given you good results.
Whatever good jobs we do physically and also mentally if we think good of others, we always get the same result. Do and think good, rest leave it to God. Do not wait or look back for results. Just march ahead and be confident that whatever good you have done will not go waste.
The tribal couple slept outside their hut. It was very dark and cold, they were shivering but still they did not complain and made place for the king to sleep peacefully.
When early morning king got up, he saw the couple were dead due to snowfall. The king felt very sad but that minute his soldiers came and urged him to go back to the palace. The king mind was not agreeing, he was feeling very sorry and ashamed that because of him the couple had to sacrifice their life. How selfish he can be. Then he made arrangement for their cremation with sandal wood.
The king used to always worry about the tribal couple. The king did not have any children for many years. After a year the queen delivered twins, a girl and a boy. But still the king was not happy, he did not make any celebrations for the birth of his children. He was very depressed and all the time the death of tribal couple would haunt him, he used to think that he has committed grave sin. So he decided to meet his Guru, the saint.
He took blessings of his Guru and narrated the entire incidence and said that I am very worried about the sin I committed. The Guru smiled at him and said "You have not committed any sin or crime, come with me." He took the king towards the twins, kept his hand on them and said "look! who has taken birth in your house? The king was surprised and amused to the tribal couple have taken birth as his children in his house.
He felt very happy and thanked his Guru. The Guru said that your good karma has given these children to you. As in your mind you would always feel bad for the death of the couple, that feeling itself has given you good results.
Whatever good jobs we do physically and also mentally if we think good of others, we always get the same result. Do and think good, rest leave it to God. Do not wait or look back for results. Just march ahead and be confident that whatever good you have done will not go waste.
Wednesday, 21 May 2008
Kunbh Mela - Fruitful Result
Once a Mahatma went to Kumbh Mela. While returning from there, on his way there was Lord Shankar's temple. Since he was tired he decided to spend night over there. There was total silence in the temple and while he was sleeping suddenly he heard some whispering sound. Slowly he got up and could hear Lord Shankar talking to Mata Parvati. Mata Parvati asked God that lakhs of people visit Kumbh Mela, does everybody's prayer are heard over here? Lord answered that those who have true faith and belief in God only their prayers are heard and those who just go for fun and make a show that they have taken a dip in kumbh and have no faith are not benefited from this mela.
Then Parvatiji asked him "Are there any people who cannot visit this pilgrimage get the benefit of this place?" Shankar Bhagwan replied that there are many people who cannot reach this place but have firm faith and belief do get what they want, their prayers are heard. Then Shankar Bhagwan said that there is boy named Ramu in a small village in Kerala and Lord was about to tell her the story of the boy in Kerala, the Mahatma coughed that time and the conversation between Lord Shankar and Parvati stopped.
The Mahatma then decided to visit that small village in Kerala and meet Ramu whose prayers are heard by Lord Shankar without having to visit Kumbh Mela. He searched for him and finally met Ramu. Ramu was a poor farmer and had a big family to look after. He looked very calm and relaxed. Mahatma asked him "Have you visited Kumbh Mela or have you made any donations etc?" Ramu then told Mahatma then once he had desired to go for Kumbh Mela and started collecting money to go for pilgrimage. He said he was about to leave for Mela then his wife got pregnant in those days. She got the smell of methi bhaji from neighbour's house and requested me to get the same from the neighbours. Since she was carrying I did not want to hurt her, so I went to the neighbour's to get Funegreek vegetable(Methi sabzi). When I went to their house and requested them to give me some vegetable, the lady of the house started crying bitterly. She said you take the vegetable, I have no objection but it is impure. We have not had proper food since last week, we have very little money, we have all torn clothes. She said her daughters feel ashamed to go out of house. We were desperately wanting to have something so when my husband went out he saw that sombody has placed raw methi on a dead person. Since it was free he immediately brought it home and told me to cook that vegetable which was put on a dead body.
On hearing the neighbour's sorry plight, he immediately rushed home removed the entire money he had collected to take his family for Kumbh Mela and brought some grocery, some clothes etc. for their family and helped her husband to work with him in the farm so that he will atleast make some money. That minute I got immense relief and peace. I was very happy that the thought of going to kumbh mela has given me such fruitful result. Now I am very happy with my life. I have no regrets.
The Mahatma said "You know Ramu, I have heard in real Lord Shankar and Mata Parvati discussing about you. Lord Shankar is very impressed by you and blessed you for your good deed which very few people will dare to do. You are great and I am also equally blessed after meeting you."
Then Parvatiji asked him "Are there any people who cannot visit this pilgrimage get the benefit of this place?" Shankar Bhagwan replied that there are many people who cannot reach this place but have firm faith and belief do get what they want, their prayers are heard. Then Shankar Bhagwan said that there is boy named Ramu in a small village in Kerala and Lord was about to tell her the story of the boy in Kerala, the Mahatma coughed that time and the conversation between Lord Shankar and Parvati stopped.
The Mahatma then decided to visit that small village in Kerala and meet Ramu whose prayers are heard by Lord Shankar without having to visit Kumbh Mela. He searched for him and finally met Ramu. Ramu was a poor farmer and had a big family to look after. He looked very calm and relaxed. Mahatma asked him "Have you visited Kumbh Mela or have you made any donations etc?" Ramu then told Mahatma then once he had desired to go for Kumbh Mela and started collecting money to go for pilgrimage. He said he was about to leave for Mela then his wife got pregnant in those days. She got the smell of methi bhaji from neighbour's house and requested me to get the same from the neighbours. Since she was carrying I did not want to hurt her, so I went to the neighbour's to get Funegreek vegetable(Methi sabzi). When I went to their house and requested them to give me some vegetable, the lady of the house started crying bitterly. She said you take the vegetable, I have no objection but it is impure. We have not had proper food since last week, we have very little money, we have all torn clothes. She said her daughters feel ashamed to go out of house. We were desperately wanting to have something so when my husband went out he saw that sombody has placed raw methi on a dead person. Since it was free he immediately brought it home and told me to cook that vegetable which was put on a dead body.
On hearing the neighbour's sorry plight, he immediately rushed home removed the entire money he had collected to take his family for Kumbh Mela and brought some grocery, some clothes etc. for their family and helped her husband to work with him in the farm so that he will atleast make some money. That minute I got immense relief and peace. I was very happy that the thought of going to kumbh mela has given me such fruitful result. Now I am very happy with my life. I have no regrets.
The Mahatma said "You know Ramu, I have heard in real Lord Shankar and Mata Parvati discussing about you. Lord Shankar is very impressed by you and blessed you for your good deed which very few people will dare to do. You are great and I am also equally blessed after meeting you."
Thursday, 15 May 2008
Humanity is to take care of others
Once a sufi saint was walking with his disciples towards a jungle. They saw some tribal people were coming behind to kill them. The sufi saint told his disciples not to panic, calm down, let us hide inside the cave which was nearby. Then he saw a big spider's web at the entrance of the cave. He requested his discipline to enter the cave by not disturbing the spider's web. He said "we should not break or spoil somebody's house to save our lives. Take care of his home, he will take care of us. Enter the cave slowly and carefully. Let spider's web which is made with great effort remain intact, do not spoil it"
The saint and his disciples entered carefully and hid inside the cave. The junglee tribals looked here and there but could not trace them. Then one of then said "Look there is a cave there, they must be hiding inside it." The other colleagues did not agree. They said "How can they enter the cave? look at the spider's web it is intact, without breaking the web it is not possible to enter the cave.
They then went back. After sometime the saint and his disciples peacefully and carefully came out of the web. Their life was saved. The disciples learnt a lesson that we should find our way without disturbing others. They took care spider's web, in return spider saved their lives.
The saint and his disciples entered carefully and hid inside the cave. The junglee tribals looked here and there but could not trace them. Then one of then said "Look there is a cave there, they must be hiding inside it." The other colleagues did not agree. They said "How can they enter the cave? look at the spider's web it is intact, without breaking the web it is not possible to enter the cave.
They then went back. After sometime the saint and his disciples peacefully and carefully came out of the web. Their life was saved. The disciples learnt a lesson that we should find our way without disturbing others. They took care spider's web, in return spider saved their lives.
Bad Habits
A man once went to Shri Vinoba Bhave, he sat near his feet, bowed in front of him and said that he has a bad habit of drinking alcohol and wants to get rid of. He requested him to show him the way to eradicate this bad habit as it has ruined his life, his family also is disturbed. He wanted to change and begged swamiji to show him the right path and guide him to come out of this bad habit.
Shree Vinoba Bhave looked at him and told him that why don't you give up drinking wine and liquor. He said he cannot leave it, this habit has badly gheraod me,entangled me, it is not leaving me, can you show me the way. Swamiji said " Come tomorrow to my ashram, then I will tell you the right path."
Next day the man obediently went to swami Vinoba Bhave's ashram. He saw the door was closed. He called up from outside and requested swamiji to open the door. Swamiji replied that he cannot open the door as the pillar of his room is not leaving him, it has badly embraced me,gheraod me. The man was surprised and asked "how can the pillar not leave you, you have to leave the pillar."
Swamiji saod "O.k. then push the door,come inside and help me to get rid of this pillar." The man then saw swamiji leaving the pillar and came towards him and said "Now you know who has to leave the bad habit. It is you who don't want to leave bad habits, habits cannot leave you. You should have that strong urge and will power to get rid of bad habits that make your life miserable. Everything is in your hand but you do not want to make efforts to improve your life. Circumstance, nature , habits are all excuses to not to change yourself.
Firm determination can make your destiny change, not that destiny will change. Habits are our own creations, we can destroy bad habits if we have the willingness.
Shree Vinoba Bhave looked at him and told him that why don't you give up drinking wine and liquor. He said he cannot leave it, this habit has badly gheraod me,entangled me, it is not leaving me, can you show me the way. Swamiji said " Come tomorrow to my ashram, then I will tell you the right path."
Next day the man obediently went to swami Vinoba Bhave's ashram. He saw the door was closed. He called up from outside and requested swamiji to open the door. Swamiji replied that he cannot open the door as the pillar of his room is not leaving him, it has badly embraced me,gheraod me. The man was surprised and asked "how can the pillar not leave you, you have to leave the pillar."
Swamiji saod "O.k. then push the door,come inside and help me to get rid of this pillar." The man then saw swamiji leaving the pillar and came towards him and said "Now you know who has to leave the bad habit. It is you who don't want to leave bad habits, habits cannot leave you. You should have that strong urge and will power to get rid of bad habits that make your life miserable. Everything is in your hand but you do not want to make efforts to improve your life. Circumstance, nature , habits are all excuses to not to change yourself.
Firm determination can make your destiny change, not that destiny will change. Habits are our own creations, we can destroy bad habits if we have the willingness.
Saturday, 10 May 2008
Peace and Love
There was a rich businessman. He had a big family and lot of money and was always happy. Once Goddess Laxmi said "I am taking leave from you. You have done enough of my service and now it is time for me depart. Before leaving I want to give you a vardaan. Only one demand I can fulfill of yours."
The businessman replied "let me consult my family members and tomorrow I will come back to you." He called all his family members, they all assembled in the big hall of his house. He told them that we can get one vardaan from Laxmi Mata as she is taking leave from our house. Please let me know what demand should we place in front of her.
Everyone started giving their opinion, they all asked for material things which did not appeal to the businessman. But his youngest daughter-in-law, who was very intelligent and sensible, kept quiet, she did not utter a word. He then requested her to ask for something, why is she keeping quiet, place any demand. Then she politely said "Look father, if Goddess Laxmi is departing from our house then to demand for material things is meaningless because with her whatever we have today will all go. If you really insist and want to have genuine vardaan from Mata Laxmi, then I would suggest you to ask for one simple thing that Peace and Love always abide in your house."
The businessman and his family agreed and then next day he bowed in front of Goddess Laxmi and placed his demand that LET PEACE remain in our house and then you can take farewell or take leave from our house.
Goddess Laxmi smiled at him and said "Oh! how can I leave the house where there is always peace and love, even if I want to I cannot because Lord Vishnu loves peaceful and cool place, I cannot leave him. Lord Vishnu abides in Shirshsagar which is a cool place. When there is peace, there is coolness in the house, there is no anger, no ego, no frustations or tension, all the members love each other, they help each other at the time of crises, then naturally they will take care of material things also and would not divide. So I have decided to stay back with you and would bestow the vardaan of Peace forever and remain with you."
The businessman replied "let me consult my family members and tomorrow I will come back to you." He called all his family members, they all assembled in the big hall of his house. He told them that we can get one vardaan from Laxmi Mata as she is taking leave from our house. Please let me know what demand should we place in front of her.
Everyone started giving their opinion, they all asked for material things which did not appeal to the businessman. But his youngest daughter-in-law, who was very intelligent and sensible, kept quiet, she did not utter a word. He then requested her to ask for something, why is she keeping quiet, place any demand. Then she politely said "Look father, if Goddess Laxmi is departing from our house then to demand for material things is meaningless because with her whatever we have today will all go. If you really insist and want to have genuine vardaan from Mata Laxmi, then I would suggest you to ask for one simple thing that Peace and Love always abide in your house."
The businessman and his family agreed and then next day he bowed in front of Goddess Laxmi and placed his demand that LET PEACE remain in our house and then you can take farewell or take leave from our house.
Goddess Laxmi smiled at him and said "Oh! how can I leave the house where there is always peace and love, even if I want to I cannot because Lord Vishnu loves peaceful and cool place, I cannot leave him. Lord Vishnu abides in Shirshsagar which is a cool place. When there is peace, there is coolness in the house, there is no anger, no ego, no frustations or tension, all the members love each other, they help each other at the time of crises, then naturally they will take care of material things also and would not divide. So I have decided to stay back with you and would bestow the vardaan of Peace forever and remain with you."
Wednesday, 7 May 2008
True faith
Once Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was traveling alone from Jagannath Puri to South India. On his way he entered into a small village. He saw one Brahmin, aged 45 to 50 years, was sitting quietly near a river. He was reading religious book, Gita. He observed that the Brahmin was so engrossed in Gita path that he had no knowledge of what is happening around.
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu quietly stood behind him. He saw that tears were dripping from the Brahmin's eyes and he was feeling very elated and while reading his throat also sometimes would get choked. He was so impressed by the Brahmin's bakhti, that tears started flowing from Mahaprabhus' eyes.
For two hours the Brahmin was reading Gita and enjoying it. Then Chaitanya Mahabrabhu came in front. The Brahnin was surprised to see such a great personality standing in front of him and then he did namaskar to him. Then Chaitanya Mahaprabhu told him that I feel you do not know sanskrit because the shlokas that you were reciting were not clear, but what was that feeling, that bhav or the meaning of Gita that made you feel so lost and so dedicated and your eyes were glittering and would get moist. The Brahmin replied that he does not know sanskrit and cannot recite the shlokas also clearly but when I open the Bhagwat Gita then I perceive or imagine a scene - "it is the field of Kurukshetra, one side are Kauravas and another side are pandavas and in between there is a rath of four white horses and reigns of rath are in Lord Krishna's hands. Arjun is sitting in the rath and listening to the updesh of Lord Krishna. Sometimes I look at Arjun and sometimes I look at Bhagwan and that scene makes me feel excited and elated that tears start dripping from my eyes.
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu immediated hugged that Brahmin and said " Brahmin devta you have understood the true meaning of Gita, you have full faith and shradha in God".
I appreciate you for that and then Mahaprabhu marched forward for his yatra.
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu quietly stood behind him. He saw that tears were dripping from the Brahmin's eyes and he was feeling very elated and while reading his throat also sometimes would get choked. He was so impressed by the Brahmin's bakhti, that tears started flowing from Mahaprabhus' eyes.
For two hours the Brahmin was reading Gita and enjoying it. Then Chaitanya Mahabrabhu came in front. The Brahnin was surprised to see such a great personality standing in front of him and then he did namaskar to him. Then Chaitanya Mahaprabhu told him that I feel you do not know sanskrit because the shlokas that you were reciting were not clear, but what was that feeling, that bhav or the meaning of Gita that made you feel so lost and so dedicated and your eyes were glittering and would get moist. The Brahmin replied that he does not know sanskrit and cannot recite the shlokas also clearly but when I open the Bhagwat Gita then I perceive or imagine a scene - "it is the field of Kurukshetra, one side are Kauravas and another side are pandavas and in between there is a rath of four white horses and reigns of rath are in Lord Krishna's hands. Arjun is sitting in the rath and listening to the updesh of Lord Krishna. Sometimes I look at Arjun and sometimes I look at Bhagwan and that scene makes me feel excited and elated that tears start dripping from my eyes.
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu immediated hugged that Brahmin and said " Brahmin devta you have understood the true meaning of Gita, you have full faith and shradha in God".
I appreciate you for that and then Mahaprabhu marched forward for his yatra.
Friday, 2 May 2008
Missed the Opportunity
A story by Ravindranath Tagore
There used to be a huge temple. There were thousands of rooms in it. There were lakhs of visitors and bakhts who would visit that temple everyday. There were minimum thousands of pujaris(priests). The eldest priest of was almost a hundred years old. He once told the juniors priest that last night in his dream he saw God and he was telling me that he is definitely going to visit our temple today. So let us make preparations to greet our God.
Then the old priest had some doubt that may be God is there or no, will he come or no. He told others that he has worked in this temple for eighty years but has never seen God. We believe in God but we can never see him. Being the senior most,praying to God, still having doubts? He was thinking that it was a mere dream, how can God visit our temple? Till now I have not seen him, how can he come now? But other priest said that if there is definitely God on this earth and if comes to our temple, we must make preparations for him. But the old priest was discouraging them by saying that "make preparation, it is your wish but that was my dream only and I just narrated it to you, do not take it seriously.
The juniors cleaned the temple nicely, cooked delicious food and decorated the temple in beautiful way, whole day they were busy with this work. It was sunrise, time was just flying, they were waiting anxiously and with the hope that God will definitely come. It became very late, the old priest told them to eat their dinner and go to sleep, there is no God. Then they all ate,closed the main gate of the temple and went to sleep. Middle of the night one priest woke up and told everybody that somebody is knocking at the door. The old priest said sleep now that is an illusion. After sometime another priest woke saying that God's chariot has come, I can hear the sound and somebody' footsteps also I can hear, it must be God. The old priest said you have gone mad, how can God come now and forced them to sleep. Again another priest got up saying that somebody is tapping at our gate, let us go and open it. Still the old priest did not believe them.
When next day early morning they opened the main door of the temple, they saw the marks of Gods chariot on the sand and footprints on the stairs of the temple and also there were God's palm and finger print which were clearly visible on the temple gate as though God had knocked there. They all felt very disappointed, started weeping and regretting that God had fulfilled his promise to pay a visit to our temple, but we could not greet him. Despite having made so man arrangement, they could not see God. It is because they did not have complete faith in God. Had the old priest been firm in his belief, they would not have missed this golden opportunity.
Aren't we all like the old priest who do not have faith in oneself and discourage others also from taking chance and in the bargain miss good opportunities in life.
There used to be a huge temple. There were thousands of rooms in it. There were lakhs of visitors and bakhts who would visit that temple everyday. There were minimum thousands of pujaris(priests). The eldest priest of was almost a hundred years old. He once told the juniors priest that last night in his dream he saw God and he was telling me that he is definitely going to visit our temple today. So let us make preparations to greet our God.
Then the old priest had some doubt that may be God is there or no, will he come or no. He told others that he has worked in this temple for eighty years but has never seen God. We believe in God but we can never see him. Being the senior most,praying to God, still having doubts? He was thinking that it was a mere dream, how can God visit our temple? Till now I have not seen him, how can he come now? But other priest said that if there is definitely God on this earth and if comes to our temple, we must make preparations for him. But the old priest was discouraging them by saying that "make preparation, it is your wish but that was my dream only and I just narrated it to you, do not take it seriously.
The juniors cleaned the temple nicely, cooked delicious food and decorated the temple in beautiful way, whole day they were busy with this work. It was sunrise, time was just flying, they were waiting anxiously and with the hope that God will definitely come. It became very late, the old priest told them to eat their dinner and go to sleep, there is no God. Then they all ate,closed the main gate of the temple and went to sleep. Middle of the night one priest woke up and told everybody that somebody is knocking at the door. The old priest said sleep now that is an illusion. After sometime another priest woke saying that God's chariot has come, I can hear the sound and somebody' footsteps also I can hear, it must be God. The old priest said you have gone mad, how can God come now and forced them to sleep. Again another priest got up saying that somebody is tapping at our gate, let us go and open it. Still the old priest did not believe them.
When next day early morning they opened the main door of the temple, they saw the marks of Gods chariot on the sand and footprints on the stairs of the temple and also there were God's palm and finger print which were clearly visible on the temple gate as though God had knocked there. They all felt very disappointed, started weeping and regretting that God had fulfilled his promise to pay a visit to our temple, but we could not greet him. Despite having made so man arrangement, they could not see God. It is because they did not have complete faith in God. Had the old priest been firm in his belief, they would not have missed this golden opportunity.
Aren't we all like the old priest who do not have faith in oneself and discourage others also from taking chance and in the bargain miss good opportunities in life.
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