HANUMAN AND VIBHEESHAN
Once VIBHEESHAN approached HANUMAN & said, "How fortunate you're! Every day you do SRI RAMA smaran & you have fully earned HIS grace. I've also been doing SRI RAMA smaran for a long time but I've not been blessed with the opportunity of having his DARSHAN constantly like you have got."
Hanuman explained, "No doubt that you're doing smaran of LORD RAMA.But did you ever participate in SERVICE? How can you earn SRI RAMA's grace without doing that? It is now a full 10 months since DEVI SITA has been in LANKA but did you ever console her & try to alleviate her sufferings? Did you meet her even once? Did you ever think of some way to relieve her agony? If you had done any of this, it would have amounted to SERVICE to the LORD." !!
REFLECTION
It's not enough if we remember god; it's not enough to go to places of worship; it's not enough to keep fast; it's not enough if we chant hymns & bhajans; it's not enough if we do pooja & other rituals; When we serve others, we're not doing it for them; we're doing it for the god in us who's equally present in others. Only the blind will be indifferent to the dismal condition of others; only the deaf will be unaffected by the sobs of others.
Our heart must melt in compassion when the eye sees another person suffering. That is the sign of Spirituality! !!
Hands that serve are holier than the lips that pray!!! The more you give, the more you would get!!!
Showing posts with label STORIES. Show all posts
Showing posts with label STORIES. Show all posts
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Saturday, February 7, 2009
[Vedic Wisdom] Tale to Understand - God is the power behind anything in this world!
STEAMING HOT PEAS BRIYANI :-
Mouth-watering! Delicious! Mother usually made Peas Biryani on Wednesday afternoons in winter. It was her favourite dish to prepare, for it was easy to make, yet a hot favourite amongst the kids. Moreover fresh peas were in season and tasted heavenly!
She heated some oil in a pan and added a spoonful of cumin seeds. Then she added a handful of chopped onions. She proceeded to add some green peas and seasoned them with salt and turmeric powder. Having sautéed them for a couple of minutes she turned in the cleaned and washed rice and poured in a good amount of water. She covered the pan with a lid and let it cook on a slow flame.
Strangely, the ingredients in the simmering pot started a conversation. The rice was the first to say, 'I am the most important of all of us present here for I am pure white and wholesome. I am the key ingredient to making Peas Biryani. I am SATYA, this is the Truth.'
The yellow turmeric powder chuckled and said, 'No longer are you white my dear, for I have dyed you in my own colour. I am DHARMA. This is my duty.'
The peas smiled peacefully and said, 'What is Peas Biryani, without peas, eh? We are the most attractive and delicious part of this preparation. We are Shanti. We are PEACE. We are peas (peace) and our colour too is green that is the colour of peace!'
The salt mused to itself and said, 'Who would ever be able to eat Peas Biryani, without salt? I am the most important of all. If I were not there Peas Biryani would be unpalatable. My taste shall be infused in each particle. I am PREMA. I love each one of you equally.'
The onions said, 'We add the tang to this dish. We add flavour. We are the soul of all vegetarian food. We are AHIMSA. We tolerate all other flavours, yet retain our own!'
The pan spoke up and said, 'It's I who is holding all of you in here.But for me, you would all have been separate identities. I have held you together, so that jointly,you can become a delicious dish. Where would you be without me? I am DISCIPLINE and I am indispensable. '
The cumin seeds were dancing up and down in the boiling water and said,'Try making Biryani, without us! It shall be quite tasteless. We sizzle in the hot oil first of all for we are devoted to spreading our flavour, wherever we go. We are DEVOTION.'
The Biryani was almost ready and the oil glistened on every grain ofrice. It said, 'I ensure that each grain of rice, each pea and each cumin seed, retains its individual identity. I prevent stickiness. I am DISCRIMINATION! '
The water was almost completely absorbed by now. It smiled contentedly and said, 'I was determined to permeate into each particle of all of you.Without me could peas Biryani ever have been made? I am DETERMINATION and I am the most important of all !'
Mother came by and checked to see, if the Biryani was done. The gas flame smiled quietly to itself and said, 'Each one is so full of its own importance. Without the power of heat provided by me, what would they be? It is the power of God vested in me that I can give the energy to cook.
Alas, who remembers the POWER OF GOD?' God smiled to Himself as the lady turned off the gas and waited, till He was needed again.
REFLECTION
Each one of us in this world is so full of his or her importance. We conveniently forget God who gives us the power to do everything.
Whether acknowledged or not, whether remembered or not, God is the power behind doing and making everything, even that Peas Biryani!
Hari Om!
Mouth-watering! Delicious! Mother usually made Peas Biryani on Wednesday afternoons in winter. It was her favourite dish to prepare, for it was easy to make, yet a hot favourite amongst the kids. Moreover fresh peas were in season and tasted heavenly!
She heated some oil in a pan and added a spoonful of cumin seeds. Then she added a handful of chopped onions. She proceeded to add some green peas and seasoned them with salt and turmeric powder. Having sautéed them for a couple of minutes she turned in the cleaned and washed rice and poured in a good amount of water. She covered the pan with a lid and let it cook on a slow flame.
Strangely, the ingredients in the simmering pot started a conversation. The rice was the first to say, 'I am the most important of all of us present here for I am pure white and wholesome. I am the key ingredient to making Peas Biryani. I am SATYA, this is the Truth.'
The yellow turmeric powder chuckled and said, 'No longer are you white my dear, for I have dyed you in my own colour. I am DHARMA. This is my duty.'
The peas smiled peacefully and said, 'What is Peas Biryani, without peas, eh? We are the most attractive and delicious part of this preparation. We are Shanti. We are PEACE. We are peas (peace) and our colour too is green that is the colour of peace!'
The salt mused to itself and said, 'Who would ever be able to eat Peas Biryani, without salt? I am the most important of all. If I were not there Peas Biryani would be unpalatable. My taste shall be infused in each particle. I am PREMA. I love each one of you equally.'
The onions said, 'We add the tang to this dish. We add flavour. We are the soul of all vegetarian food. We are AHIMSA. We tolerate all other flavours, yet retain our own!'
The pan spoke up and said, 'It's I who is holding all of you in here.But for me, you would all have been separate identities. I have held you together, so that jointly,you can become a delicious dish. Where would you be without me? I am DISCIPLINE and I am indispensable. '
The cumin seeds were dancing up and down in the boiling water and said,'Try making Biryani, without us! It shall be quite tasteless. We sizzle in the hot oil first of all for we are devoted to spreading our flavour, wherever we go. We are DEVOTION.'
The Biryani was almost ready and the oil glistened on every grain ofrice. It said, 'I ensure that each grain of rice, each pea and each cumin seed, retains its individual identity. I prevent stickiness. I am DISCRIMINATION! '
The water was almost completely absorbed by now. It smiled contentedly and said, 'I was determined to permeate into each particle of all of you.Without me could peas Biryani ever have been made? I am DETERMINATION and I am the most important of all !'
Mother came by and checked to see, if the Biryani was done. The gas flame smiled quietly to itself and said, 'Each one is so full of its own importance. Without the power of heat provided by me, what would they be? It is the power of God vested in me that I can give the energy to cook.
Alas, who remembers the POWER OF GOD?' God smiled to Himself as the lady turned off the gas and waited, till He was needed again.
REFLECTION
Each one of us in this world is so full of his or her importance. We conveniently forget God who gives us the power to do everything.
Whether acknowledged or not, whether remembered or not, God is the power behind doing and making everything, even that Peas Biryani!
Hari Om!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Tale to Understand - A polished soul is like a mirror which reflects the Divinity within us!
THE PAINTING ON THE WALL
There was a king who was a great admirer of art. He encouraged artists from all over his country and gave them valuable gifts.
One day an artist came and said to the king, "Oh King! Give me a blank wall in your palace and let me paint a picture on it. It will be more beautiful than anything you have ever seen before. I promise you shall not be disappointed. "
Now,the king happened to be constructing a big hall at the rear end of the palace. So he said, "Alright you may work on one of the walls in the new hall." So the artist was given the job and he was very pleased indeed.
Just then, another young man said, "Oh King! Please allow me to work on the opposite wall. I too am an artist." The king said, "What would you like to make?" The man said, "My Lord, I shall make exactly what that man will make on the opposite wall. Moreover, shall do so,without looking at his work. I would even request you to have a thick curtain put up between the two walls so that either
of us can not see the other."
Now, that was a tall statement. Everyone in the king's court, including the king and the first artist were intrigued. But the king loved surprise and he decided to give the young fellow a chance.
The following day a thick curtain was put into place and both the artists got to work. The first artist brought in a regular supply of paint, oil, water etc. The second one would some with a cloth and a bucket of water every day.
After a month the first artist told the king that his work was complete and he would like to show it to the king. The king sent for the second artist and asked him, "Young man, when would your work be ready? I am coming to see the first wall this evening." The man said, "My Lord, my wall is ready too!"
The king went to see the first artist's wall. He was very, very impressed with the painting and gave a hefty sum as a reward to the artist. He then asked for the curtain to be opened up.
Lo and behold! The same painting was to be seen on the opposite wall too! Amazing! But true! Each line, each minor detail was exactly as it was on the
first wall. But this man had not been seeing what was going on, on the other side of the curtain. So how had he done it?
The king wanted to know the secret. He gave a double reward to the fellow. Then he said, "Young man, I am indeed very happy with your work. But you must tell me; how did you do it?"
The lad said simply, "It's very easy! I just polished the wall every day!"
It was a wall made of white marble! The fellow polished it till it shone like a mirror. The reflection of the painting across the room, showed up in it!
REFLECTION
That is what it means to polish our self. For when we polish our hearts and souls we see God's reflection within. The soul is placed in the body like a rough diamond and must be polished, or the luster of it will never appear.
It is said that the world is a reflection of you. Whatever you are, the world will seem to be that too.
If you are happy, the world will look to be happy. If you are sad; jealous; dejected; angry; restless ... that is what the world will seem to be to you!
There was a king who was a great admirer of art. He encouraged artists from all over his country and gave them valuable gifts.
One day an artist came and said to the king, "Oh King! Give me a blank wall in your palace and let me paint a picture on it. It will be more beautiful than anything you have ever seen before. I promise you shall not be disappointed. "
Now,the king happened to be constructing a big hall at the rear end of the palace. So he said, "Alright you may work on one of the walls in the new hall." So the artist was given the job and he was very pleased indeed.
Just then, another young man said, "Oh King! Please allow me to work on the opposite wall. I too am an artist." The king said, "What would you like to make?" The man said, "My Lord, I shall make exactly what that man will make on the opposite wall. Moreover, shall do so,without looking at his work. I would even request you to have a thick curtain put up between the two walls so that either
of us can not see the other."
Now, that was a tall statement. Everyone in the king's court, including the king and the first artist were intrigued. But the king loved surprise and he decided to give the young fellow a chance.
The following day a thick curtain was put into place and both the artists got to work. The first artist brought in a regular supply of paint, oil, water etc. The second one would some with a cloth and a bucket of water every day.
After a month the first artist told the king that his work was complete and he would like to show it to the king. The king sent for the second artist and asked him, "Young man, when would your work be ready? I am coming to see the first wall this evening." The man said, "My Lord, my wall is ready too!"
The king went to see the first artist's wall. He was very, very impressed with the painting and gave a hefty sum as a reward to the artist. He then asked for the curtain to be opened up.
Lo and behold! The same painting was to be seen on the opposite wall too! Amazing! But true! Each line, each minor detail was exactly as it was on the
first wall. But this man had not been seeing what was going on, on the other side of the curtain. So how had he done it?
The king wanted to know the secret. He gave a double reward to the fellow. Then he said, "Young man, I am indeed very happy with your work. But you must tell me; how did you do it?"
The lad said simply, "It's very easy! I just polished the wall every day!"
It was a wall made of white marble! The fellow polished it till it shone like a mirror. The reflection of the painting across the room, showed up in it!
REFLECTION
That is what it means to polish our self. For when we polish our hearts and souls we see God's reflection within. The soul is placed in the body like a rough diamond and must be polished, or the luster of it will never appear.
It is said that the world is a reflection of you. Whatever you are, the world will seem to be that too.
If you are happy, the world will look to be happy. If you are sad; jealous; dejected; angry; restless ... that is what the world will seem to be to you!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Be Vigilant
THE TOUCHSTONE
The days stretched into weeks and the weeks into months. One day, however, about midafternoon, he picked up a pebble and it was warm. He threw it into the sea before he realized what he had done. He had formed such a strong habit of throwing each pebble into the sea that when the one he wanted came along, he still threw it away.!
REFLECTION
Wise men make more opportunities than they find! Like an eagle, be vigilant to make use of the opportunities around you.
Everyday is an opportunity in front of you for making new beginnings and happy endings.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
MOTHER'S TRUE LOVE
A little boy came up to his mother in the kitchen one evening while she was fixing supper, and handed her a piece of paper that he had been writing on. After his Mom dried her hands on an apron, she read it, and this is what it said: For cutting the grass: $5.00 For cleaning up my room this week: $1.00 For going to the store for you: $.50 Baby-sitting my kid brother while you went shopping: $.25 Taking out the garbage: $1.00 For getting a good report card: $5.00 For cleaning up and raking the yard: $2.00 Total owed: $14.75 Well, his mother looked at him standing there, and the boy could see the memories flashing through her mind. She picked up the pen, turned over the paper he'd written on, and this is what she wrote: For the nine months I carried you while you were growing inside me: No Charge For all the nights that I've sat up with you, doctored and prayed for you: No Charge For all the trying times, and all the tears that you've caused through the years: No Charge For all the nights that were filled with dread, and for the worries I knew were ahead: No Charge For the toys, food, clothes, and even wiping your nose: No Charge Son, when you add it up, the cost of my love is: No Charge. When the boy finished reading what his mother had written, there were big tears in his eyes, and he looked straight at his mother and said, "Mom, I sure do love you."
And then he took the pen and in great big letters he wrote: "PAID IN FULL".
REFLECTION
The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which we will always find forgiveness. Mother's love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible. A mother's happiness is like a beacon, lighting up the future but reflected also on the past in the guise of fond memories.
She is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still she will cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.
We will never know our parents worth till we become a parent.
One should be a giver not an asker, especially with our parents and there is indeed a lot to give....besides money!! Think for a moment......
And then he took the pen and in great big letters he wrote: "PAID IN FULL".
REFLECTION
The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which we will always find forgiveness. Mother's love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible. A mother's happiness is like a beacon, lighting up the future but reflected also on the past in the guise of fond memories.
She is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still she will cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.
We will never know our parents worth till we become a parent.
One should be a giver not an asker, especially with our parents and there is indeed a lot to give....besides money!! Think for a moment......
EMPEROR AND THE BEGGAR
An emperor was coming out of his palace for his morning walk when he met a beggar. He asked the beggar, "What do you want?"The beggar laughed and said, "You are asking me as though you can fulfill my desire!"The king was offended. He said, "Of course I can fulfill your desire. What is it? Just tell me." And the beggar said, "Think twice before you promise anything."The beggar was no ordinary beggar, he was the emporers past life master. He had promised in that life, "I will come and try to wake you in your next life. This life you have missed but I will come again." But the king had forgotten completely -- who remembers past lives? So he insisted, "I will fulfill anything you ask. I am a very powerful emperor, what can you possibly desire that I can not give to you?"The beggar said, "It is a very simple desire. You see this begging bowl? Can you fill it with something?"The emperor said, "Of course!" He called one of his viziers and told him, "Fill this mans begging bowl with money." The vizier went and got some money and poured it into the bowl, and it disappeared. And he poured more and more, and the moment he would pour it, it would disappear. And the beggging bowl remained always empty.The whole palace gathered. By and by the rumor went throughout the whole capital, and a huge crowd gathered. The prestige of the emperor was at stake.He said to his viziers, "If the whole kingdom is lost, I am ready to lose it, but I cannot be defeated by this beggar."Diamonds and pearls and emeralds, his treasuries were becoming empty.The begging bowl seemed to be bottomless. Everything that was put into it --everything! --immediately disappeared, went out of existence. Finally it was the evening, and the people were standing there in utter silence. The king dropped at the fet of the beggar and admitted his defeat. he said, "Just tell me one thing. You are victorious - but before you leave, just fulfill my curiousity. What is the begging bowl made of?"The beggar laughed and said, "It is made up of the human mind. There is no secret. It is simply made up of human desires!!"
REFLECTIONThis understanding transforms life.
Go into one desire -- what is the mechanism of it? First there is a great excitement, great thrill, adventure. we feel a great kick. Something is going to happen, we are on the verge of it. And then we have the car, we have that special someone of our dreams, we have the dream house, we have all the luxuries, and suddenly all is meaningless again.What happens? Our mind has dematerialised it. The car is standing in the drive, but there is no excitement anymore. The excitement was only in getting it. We became so drunk with the desire that we forgot our inner nothingness.
When the desire is fulfilled- the car in the drive, the luxuries at our home, the money in our bank account, the special someone in our life - again all the excitement disappears. Again the emptiness dawns, ready to eat us up. Again we have to create another desire to escape this yawning abyss.That's how one moves from one desire to another desire. That's how one remains a beggar. Our whole life proves it again and again -- every desire frustrates. And when the goal is achieved, we will need another desire.
The day we understand that desire as such is going to fail, comes the turning point in our life.
The other journey is inwards. move inwards, come back home!
REFLECTIONThis understanding transforms life.
Go into one desire -- what is the mechanism of it? First there is a great excitement, great thrill, adventure. we feel a great kick. Something is going to happen, we are on the verge of it. And then we have the car, we have that special someone of our dreams, we have the dream house, we have all the luxuries, and suddenly all is meaningless again.What happens? Our mind has dematerialised it. The car is standing in the drive, but there is no excitement anymore. The excitement was only in getting it. We became so drunk with the desire that we forgot our inner nothingness.
When the desire is fulfilled- the car in the drive, the luxuries at our home, the money in our bank account, the special someone in our life - again all the excitement disappears. Again the emptiness dawns, ready to eat us up. Again we have to create another desire to escape this yawning abyss.That's how one moves from one desire to another desire. That's how one remains a beggar. Our whole life proves it again and again -- every desire frustrates. And when the goal is achieved, we will need another desire.
The day we understand that desire as such is going to fail, comes the turning point in our life.
The other journey is inwards. move inwards, come back home!
How do our sub-consious mind works
There was a man who worked for the railroad. One day as he went into the freezer compartment to do his routine work, the door accidentally closed and he found himself trapped in the compartment. He shouted for help but no one heard him since it was past midnight. He tried to break down the door but he could not. As he lay in the freezer compartment, he began to feel colder, and colder. Then he began to feel weaker, and weaker, and he wrote on the wall of the compartment, “I am feeling colder, and colder; and I am getting weaker, and weaker. I am dying, and this may be my last words”.
In the morning when the other workers opened up the compartment they found him dead. The sad twist to the above story is that the freezing apparatus in the compartment had broke down a few days earlier. The poor worker did not know about the damaged freezing apparatus and in his mind the freezing apparatus was working perfectly. He felt cold, got weaker and literally willed himself to die.
REFLECTION :
Our sub-conscious mind can be cheated. The sub-conscious mind can only accept and act on information passed to it by the conscious mind. It has no capacity to reject or decline any instructions or information passed to it by the conscious mind.
In the morning when the other workers opened up the compartment they found him dead. The sad twist to the above story is that the freezing apparatus in the compartment had broke down a few days earlier. The poor worker did not know about the damaged freezing apparatus and in his mind the freezing apparatus was working perfectly. He felt cold, got weaker and literally willed himself to die.
REFLECTION :
Our sub-conscious mind can be cheated. The sub-conscious mind can only accept and act on information passed to it by the conscious mind. It has no capacity to reject or decline any instructions or information passed to it by the conscious mind.
We should take initiative in whatever we do !!
Some years ago, three brothers left the farm to work in the city. They were all hired by the same company at the same pay. Three years later, Jim was being paid $500 a month, Frank was receiving $1,000, but George was now making $1,500.
Their father decided to visit the employer. He listened to the confused father and said, "I will let the boys explain for themselves."
Jim was summoned to the supervisor's office and was told, "Jim, I understand the Far East Importers has just brought in a large transport plane loaded with Japanese import goods. Will you please go over to the airport and get a cargo inventory?"
Three minutes later, Jim returned to the office. "The cargo was one thousand bolts of Japanese silk," Jim reported. "I got the information over the telephone from a member of the crew."
When Jim left, Frank, the $1,000 a month brother, was called. "Frank," said the supervisor, "I wish you'd go out to the airport and get an inventory of the cargo plane which was just brought in by Far East Importers."
An hour later, Frank was back in the office with a list showing that the plane carried 1,000 bolts of Japanese silk, 500 transistor radios, and 1,000 hand painted bamboo trays. George, the $1,500 a month brother, was given identical instructions. Working hours were over when he finally returned.
"The transport plane carried one thousand bolts of Japanese silk," he began. "It was on sale at sixty dollars a bolt, so I took a two-day option on the whole lot.
I have wired a designer in New York offering the silk at seventy-five dollars a bolt. I expect to have the order tomorrow. I also found five hundred transistor radios, which I sold over the telephone at a profit of $2.30 each.
There were a thousand bamboo trays, but they were of poor quality, so I didn't try to do anything with them."
When George left the office, the employer smiled. "You probably noticed," he said, "that Jim doesn't do what he's told, Frank does only what he'd told, but George does without being told."
REFLECTION
The future is full of promise for one who shows initiative! Initiative is doing the right things without being told. Success depends in a very large measure upon individual initiative and exertion and cannot be achieved except by a dint of hard work.
Time is neutral and does not change things. With courage and initiative,leaders change things!
The four cornerstones of character on which the structure of a nation is built are: Initiative, Imagination, Individuality and Independence.
Their father decided to visit the employer. He listened to the confused father and said, "I will let the boys explain for themselves."
Jim was summoned to the supervisor's office and was told, "Jim, I understand the Far East Importers has just brought in a large transport plane loaded with Japanese import goods. Will you please go over to the airport and get a cargo inventory?"
Three minutes later, Jim returned to the office. "The cargo was one thousand bolts of Japanese silk," Jim reported. "I got the information over the telephone from a member of the crew."
When Jim left, Frank, the $1,000 a month brother, was called. "Frank," said the supervisor, "I wish you'd go out to the airport and get an inventory of the cargo plane which was just brought in by Far East Importers."
An hour later, Frank was back in the office with a list showing that the plane carried 1,000 bolts of Japanese silk, 500 transistor radios, and 1,000 hand painted bamboo trays. George, the $1,500 a month brother, was given identical instructions. Working hours were over when he finally returned.
"The transport plane carried one thousand bolts of Japanese silk," he began. "It was on sale at sixty dollars a bolt, so I took a two-day option on the whole lot.
I have wired a designer in New York offering the silk at seventy-five dollars a bolt. I expect to have the order tomorrow. I also found five hundred transistor radios, which I sold over the telephone at a profit of $2.30 each.
There were a thousand bamboo trays, but they were of poor quality, so I didn't try to do anything with them."
When George left the office, the employer smiled. "You probably noticed," he said, "that Jim doesn't do what he's told, Frank does only what he'd told, but George does without being told."
REFLECTION
The future is full of promise for one who shows initiative! Initiative is doing the right things without being told. Success depends in a very large measure upon individual initiative and exertion and cannot be achieved except by a dint of hard work.
Time is neutral and does not change things. With courage and initiative,leaders change things!
The four cornerstones of character on which the structure of a nation is built are: Initiative, Imagination, Individuality and Independence.
THE TURTLE'S PICNIC !!
A turtle family went on a picnic.. The turtles, being naturally slow about things, took seven years to prepare for their outings.Finally the turtle family left home looking for a suitable place. During the second year of their journey they found it. For about six months they cleaned up the area, unpacked the picnic basket, and completed the arrangements.
Then they discovered the had forgotten the salt. A picnic without salt would be a disaster, they all agreed. After a lengthy discussion, the youngest turtle was chosen to retrieve the salt from home.
Although he was the fastest of the slow moving turtles, the little turtle whined, cried, and wobbled in his shell. He agreed to go on one condition: that no one would eat until he returned. The family consented and the little turtle left.
Three years passed-- and the little turtle had not returned. Five years...six years.. then in the seventh year of his absence, the oldest turtle could no longer contain his hunger. He announced that he was going to eat and began to unwrap a sandwich.At that point the little turtle suddenly popped out from behind a tree shouting, "SEE I knew you wouldn't wait. Now I am not going to go get the salt."
REFLECTION :
Some of us waste our lives waiting for people to live up to our expectations of them. We are so concerned about what others are doing that we don't do anything ourselves!!
Then they discovered the had forgotten the salt. A picnic without salt would be a disaster, they all agreed. After a lengthy discussion, the youngest turtle was chosen to retrieve the salt from home.
Although he was the fastest of the slow moving turtles, the little turtle whined, cried, and wobbled in his shell. He agreed to go on one condition: that no one would eat until he returned. The family consented and the little turtle left.
Three years passed-- and the little turtle had not returned. Five years...six years.. then in the seventh year of his absence, the oldest turtle could no longer contain his hunger. He announced that he was going to eat and began to unwrap a sandwich.At that point the little turtle suddenly popped out from behind a tree shouting, "SEE I knew you wouldn't wait. Now I am not going to go get the salt."
REFLECTION :
Some of us waste our lives waiting for people to live up to our expectations of them. We are so concerned about what others are doing that we don't do anything ourselves!!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
WHAT IS WORTH ANYTHING IN LIFE - A SOLDIER
Horror gripped the heart of a World War-I soldier, as he saw his lifelong friend fall in battle. The soldier asked his Lieutenant if he could go out to bring his fallen comrade back.
"You can go," said the Lieutenant," but don't think it will be worth it.
Your friend is probably dead and you may throw your life away."
"The Lieutenant's words didn't matter, and the soldier went anyway.
Miraculously, he managed to reach his friend, hoisted him onto his shoulder and brought him back to their company's trench. The officer checked the wounded soldier, then looked kindly at his friend.
"I told you it wouldn't be worth it," he said. "Your friend is dead and you are mortally wounded."
"It was worth it, Sir," said the soldier.
"What do you mean by worth it?" responded the Lieutenant. "Your friend is dead."
"Yes Sir," the soldier answered,"but it was worth it because when I got to him, he was still alive and I had the satisfaction of hearing him say....
"Jim...I knew you'd come."
REFLECTION
Many times in life, whether a thing is worth doing or not, really depends on how u look at it. Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realise they were the big things.
"You can go," said the Lieutenant," but don't think it will be worth it.
Your friend is probably dead and you may throw your life away."
"The Lieutenant's words didn't matter, and the soldier went anyway.
Miraculously, he managed to reach his friend, hoisted him onto his shoulder and brought him back to their company's trench. The officer checked the wounded soldier, then looked kindly at his friend.
"I told you it wouldn't be worth it," he said. "Your friend is dead and you are mortally wounded."
"It was worth it, Sir," said the soldier.
"What do you mean by worth it?" responded the Lieutenant. "Your friend is dead."
"Yes Sir," the soldier answered,"but it was worth it because when I got to him, he was still alive and I had the satisfaction of hearing him say....
"Jim...I knew you'd come."
REFLECTION
Many times in life, whether a thing is worth doing or not, really depends on how u look at it. Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realise they were the big things.
The way to love anything is to realise its worth and that it might be lost. Also, relationships are like crystals, you dont realize how much it's worth until it breaks.
Take up all your courage and do something your heart tells you to do, so that you may not regret not doing it later in your life!!
EVERYONE HAS A DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW !!
One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live.
They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.
On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, “How was the trip?”
“It was great, Dad.”
“Did you see how poor people live?” the father asked.
“Oh yeah,” said the son.
“So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?” asked the father.
The son answered: “I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.
“We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.
“We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs.
“We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them.”
The boy’s father was speechless.
Then his son added, “Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are.”
moral: every one as different point of view
but everyone think they are right always even thats wrong
They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.
On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, “How was the trip?”
“It was great, Dad.”
“Did you see how poor people live?” the father asked.
“Oh yeah,” said the son.
“So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?” asked the father.
The son answered: “I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.
“We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.
“We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs.
“We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them.”
The boy’s father was speechless.
Then his son added, “Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are.”
moral: every one as different point of view
but everyone think they are right always even thats wrong
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
THE 4 WIVES
The 4 wives
There was a rich merchant who had 4 wives. He loved the 4th wife the most & adorned her with rich robes and treated her to delicacies. He took great care of her & gave her nothing but the best.
He also loved the 3rd wife very much. He's very proud of her & always wanted to show off her to his friends. However, the merchant is always in great fear that she might run away with some other men.
He too, loved his 2nd wife. She is a very considerate person, in fact is the merchant's confidante. Whenever the merchant faced some problems, he always turned to his 2nd wife & she would always help him out .
Now, the merchant's 1st wife is a very loyal partner & has made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and business as well as taking care of the household. However, the merchant did not love the first wife and although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her.
One day, the merchant fell ill. Before long, he knew that he was going to die soon. He thought of his luxurious life and told himself, "Now I have 4 wives with me. But when I die, I'll be alone. How lonely I'll be!"
Thus, he asked the 4th wife, "I loved you most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No way!" replied the 4th wife and she walked away without another word.
The answer cut like a sharp knife right into the merchant's heart. The sad merchant then asked the 3rd wife, "I have loved you so much for all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No!" replied the 3rd wife. "Life is so good over here! I'm going to remarry when you die!" The merchant's heart sank and turned cold.
He also loved the 3rd wife very much. He's very proud of her & always wanted to show off her to his friends. However, the merchant is always in great fear that she might run away with some other men.
He too, loved his 2nd wife. She is a very considerate person, in fact is the merchant's confidante. Whenever the merchant faced some problems, he always turned to his 2nd wife & she would always help him out .
Now, the merchant's 1st wife is a very loyal partner & has made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and business as well as taking care of the household. However, the merchant did not love the first wife and although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her.
One day, the merchant fell ill. Before long, he knew that he was going to die soon. He thought of his luxurious life and told himself, "Now I have 4 wives with me. But when I die, I'll be alone. How lonely I'll be!"
Thus, he asked the 4th wife, "I loved you most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No way!" replied the 4th wife and she walked away without another word.
The answer cut like a sharp knife right into the merchant's heart. The sad merchant then asked the 3rd wife, "I have loved you so much for all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No!" replied the 3rd wife. "Life is so good over here! I'm going to remarry when you die!" The merchant's heart sank and turned cold.
He then asked the 2nd wife, "I always turned to you for help and you've always helped me out. Now I need your help again. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?" "I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!" replied the 2nd wife. "At the very most, I can only send you to your grave." The answer came like a bolt of thunder and the merchant was devastated.
Then a voice called out : "I'll leave with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go." The merchant looked up and there was his first wife. She was so skinny, almost like she suffered from malnutrition. Greatly grieved, the merchant said, "I should have taken much better care of you while I could have !"
Actually, we all have 4 wives in our lives
a. The 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it'll leave us when we die.
b. Our 3rd wife ? Our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, they all go to others.
c. The 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how close they had been there for us when we're alive, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave.
d. The 1st wife is in fact our soul, often neglected in our pursuit of material, wealth and sensual pleasure.
Guess what? It is actually the only thing that follows us wherever we go. Perhaps it's a good idea to cultivate and strengthen it now rather than to wait until we're on our deathbed to lament
Then a voice called out : "I'll leave with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go." The merchant looked up and there was his first wife. She was so skinny, almost like she suffered from malnutrition. Greatly grieved, the merchant said, "I should have taken much better care of you while I could have !"
Actually, we all have 4 wives in our lives
a. The 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it'll leave us when we die.
b. Our 3rd wife ? Our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, they all go to others.
c. The 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how close they had been there for us when we're alive, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave.
d. The 1st wife is in fact our soul, often neglected in our pursuit of material, wealth and sensual pleasure.
Guess what? It is actually the only thing that follows us wherever we go. Perhaps it's a good idea to cultivate and strengthen it now rather than to wait until we're on our deathbed to lament
MATURITY
A six-year-old boy told his father, he wanted to marry the little girl across the street. The father, being modern and well-schooled in handling children, hid his smile behind his hand.
"That's a serious step," he said. "Have you thought it out completely?"
"Yes," his young son answered. "We can spend one week in my room and the next in hers. It's right across the street, so I can run home if I get scared of the dark."
"How about transportation?" the father asked.
"I have my wagon, and we both have our tricycles," the little boy answered. The boy had an answer to every question the father raised.
Finally, in exasperation, his dad asked, "What about babies? When you're married, you're liable to have babies, you know."
"We've thought about that, too," the little boy replied. "We're not going to have babies. Every time she lays an egg, I'm going to step on it!!"
Our maturity in spiritual topics is exactly like this. When some spiritual discussion ensues, we never hesitate in giving our expert comments. Our knowledge is build from little self reading and a little bit of listening from here and there. Thus, we may be able to comprehend some of the sections or individual instructions with our kid-like-maturity but when it comes to some serious questions on Bhagvad Gita, our ideas would also be similar to that of stepping on eggs like this innocent kid.
"That's a serious step," he said. "Have you thought it out completely?"
"Yes," his young son answered. "We can spend one week in my room and the next in hers. It's right across the street, so I can run home if I get scared of the dark."
"How about transportation?" the father asked.
"I have my wagon, and we both have our tricycles," the little boy answered. The boy had an answer to every question the father raised.
Finally, in exasperation, his dad asked, "What about babies? When you're married, you're liable to have babies, you know."
"We've thought about that, too," the little boy replied. "We're not going to have babies. Every time she lays an egg, I'm going to step on it!!"
Our maturity in spiritual topics is exactly like this. When some spiritual discussion ensues, we never hesitate in giving our expert comments. Our knowledge is build from little self reading and a little bit of listening from here and there. Thus, we may be able to comprehend some of the sections or individual instructions with our kid-like-maturity but when it comes to some serious questions on Bhagvad Gita, our ideas would also be similar to that of stepping on eggs like this innocent kid.
CRACKED POT
There was a farmer who owned two pots which he used to fill with water every evening from the river side and bring back home for daily usage.However, one of the pots was slighty cracked due to which by the time the farmer used to reach home, half of the pot got emptied.The pot always felt ashamed for its shortcoming and regretted why the farmer had not thrown him away.One fine day, the pot managed to ask whether the farmer has ever noticed that it is cracked and half of the water and his valueable energy gets watsed everyday.The farmer took the pot on the way to riverside and told the pot-- see the flowerbed , i knew that you are cracked so I had sown the seeds which have turned into beautiful flowers because of the watering done by you.
Well we all are cracked pots, and Shri Krishna our farmer.Just pray to Thy to turn our shortcomings to our strengths just like the farmer became instrumental in turning the cracked pot into a useful one.
Well we all are cracked pots, and Shri Krishna our farmer.Just pray to Thy to turn our shortcomings to our strengths just like the farmer became instrumental in turning the cracked pot into a useful one.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
THE MONKEY AND THE WOODEN APPLE
There once was a happy monkey wandering the jungle, eating delicious fruit when hungry, and resting when tired. One day he came upon a house, where he saw a bowl of the most beautiful apples. He took one in each hand and ran back into the forest.
He sniffed the apples and smelled nothing. He tried to eat them, but hurt his teeth. They were made of wood, but they were beautiful, and when the other monkeys saw them, he held onto them even tighter. By letting go of one's finite, elusive materialistic pleasures, he can achieve infinite happiness and peace of mind
He sniffed the apples and smelled nothing. He tried to eat them, but hurt his teeth. They were made of wood, but they were beautiful, and when the other monkeys saw them, he held onto them even tighter.
He admired his new possessions proudly as he wandered the jungle. They glistened red in the sun, and seemed perfect to him. He became so attached to them, that he didn't even notice his hunger at first.
A fruit tree reminded him, but he felt the apples in his hands. He couldn't bear to set them down to reach for the fruit. In fact, he couldn't relax, either, if he was to defend his apples. A proud, but less happy monkey continued to walk along the forest trails.
The apples became heavier, and the poor little monkey thought about leaving them behind. He was tired, hungry, and he couldn't climb trees or collect fruit with his hands full. What if he just let go?
Letting go of such valuable things seemed crazy, but what else could he do? He was so tired. Seeing the next fruit tree, and smelling it's fruit was enough. He dropped the wooden apples and reached up for his meal. He was happy again.
A fruit tree reminded him, but he felt the apples in his hands. He couldn't bear to set them down to reach for the fruit. In fact, he couldn't relax, either, if he was to defend his apples. A proud, but less happy monkey continued to walk along the forest trails.
The apples became heavier, and the poor little monkey thought about leaving them behind. He was tired, hungry, and he couldn't climb trees or collect fruit with his hands full. What if he just let go?
Letting go of such valuable things seemed crazy, but what else could he do? He was so tired. Seeing the next fruit tree, and smelling it's fruit was enough. He dropped the wooden apples and reached up for his meal. He was happy again.
REFLECTION
Like that little monkey, we sometimes carry things that seem too valuable to let go. A man carries an image of himself as "productive" - carries it like a shiny wooden apple. But in reality, his busyness leaves him tired, and hungry for a better life.
Like that little monkey, we sometimes carry things that seem too valuable to let go. A man carries an image of himself as "productive" - carries it like a shiny wooden apple. But in reality, his busyness leaves him tired, and hungry for a better life.
Still, letting go seems crazy. Even his worries are sacred apples - they prove he's "doing everything he can." He holds onto them compulsively.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Are We Looking for Snails?
Some herons were sitting by the side of a boggy pond. A swan happened to pass by, while a heron asked the swan, "Why are your eyes, face and toes etc. of red color? Who are you?"
The swan replied, "I am a swan".
The heron, "Where do you come from?
The swan, "From the lake Manas Sarovar"
The heron, "What are the things over there?"
The swan, "There is a garden of golden lotuses. The water of the beautiful lake is nectarine. All around it there are various types of trees and plants of fruits and flowers, beautifully arranged on jewel-bedecked platforms. We can take you there, if you like to."
The heron, "Are there any big-size snails?"
The swan, "No"
At this, the herons ridiculed the swan in big laughter and said, " Oh damn it! When there are no snails, we can't consider that to be a lake! No one should bother to approach there."
This is the real irony with all of us. If we are offered with something nice and far better than what we are using, we don't get inclined to accept it, as we are very much attached to what we have been using. The material attachment has paved its way, very deep in our heart, but the dilemma is that, we have to take leave from all these material things in the coming future. They are not our permanent companion.
The transcendental happiness derived by performance of devotion (Dharmayama Susukham) is far more superior and permanent in comparison to the temporary and little happiness derived materially. One who knows the taste of Rasagulla (a sweet) would never prefer it over a sugar candy. Similarly, one who understands the excellence of spirituality would never wonder on the perishable material pleasures (Adhanatavant Kaunteya, Na Teshu Ramate budaha- B.Gita 5.22), which are nothing, but the root cause of all the miseries (Dukh yonaya eve te ).
Let's change our habits of hankering for the pleasures derived form material things (just like heron) and act to get the best of pleasures, the spiritual pleasure. Until unless we change our ways, we would be deceiving no one else, but ourselves! Yes, do introspect; are we really looking for snails??
The swan replied, "I am a swan".
The heron, "Where do you come from?
The swan, "From the lake Manas Sarovar"
The heron, "What are the things over there?"
The swan, "There is a garden of golden lotuses. The water of the beautiful lake is nectarine. All around it there are various types of trees and plants of fruits and flowers, beautifully arranged on jewel-bedecked platforms. We can take you there, if you like to."
The heron, "Are there any big-size snails?"
The swan, "No"
At this, the herons ridiculed the swan in big laughter and said, " Oh damn it! When there are no snails, we can't consider that to be a lake! No one should bother to approach there."
This is the real irony with all of us. If we are offered with something nice and far better than what we are using, we don't get inclined to accept it, as we are very much attached to what we have been using. The material attachment has paved its way, very deep in our heart, but the dilemma is that, we have to take leave from all these material things in the coming future. They are not our permanent companion.
The transcendental happiness derived by performance of devotion (Dharmayama Susukham) is far more superior and permanent in comparison to the temporary and little happiness derived materially. One who knows the taste of Rasagulla (a sweet) would never prefer it over a sugar candy. Similarly, one who understands the excellence of spirituality would never wonder on the perishable material pleasures (Adhanatavant Kaunteya, Na Teshu Ramate budaha- B.Gita 5.22), which are nothing, but the root cause of all the miseries (Dukh yonaya eve te ).
Let's change our habits of hankering for the pleasures derived form material things (just like heron) and act to get the best of pleasures, the spiritual pleasure. Until unless we change our ways, we would be deceiving no one else, but ourselves! Yes, do introspect; are we really looking for snails??
Friday, November 21, 2008
WATCH YOUR WORDS
A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. All the other frogs gathered around the pit. When they saw how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that they were as good as dead.
The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit with all of their might. The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down and died.
The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs said, "Did you not hear us?" The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.
So remember, there is power of life and death in the tongue. One should not show miserliness in choosing the right words for the right occasion (Vachane Kim Daridrata). An encouraging word to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it through the day. Whereas a destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes to kill them. Be careful of what you say
As we see in the first chapter of Srimad Bhagavat gita, Arjuna was overpowered by illusion and declined to fight, and thus left the bow and arrows (Visrjaya Sasharam Chapam 1/47). But the encouraging words of Lord Krishna (Nimitmatram Bhava Savya Sachin -11/33 etc) made him overcome the illusion completely (Nashto Mohah Smritir Labhda -18/73) .
Thus the power of words....it is sometimes hard to understand that an encouraging word can go such a long way. Anyone can speak words that tend to rob another of the spirit to continue in difficult times!
Speak carefully! Speak life to those who cross your path.
The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit with all of their might. The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down and died.
The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs said, "Did you not hear us?" The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.
So remember, there is power of life and death in the tongue. One should not show miserliness in choosing the right words for the right occasion (Vachane Kim Daridrata). An encouraging word to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it through the day. Whereas a destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes to kill them. Be careful of what you say
As we see in the first chapter of Srimad Bhagavat gita, Arjuna was overpowered by illusion and declined to fight, and thus left the bow and arrows (Visrjaya Sasharam Chapam 1/47). But the encouraging words of Lord Krishna (Nimitmatram Bhava Savya Sachin -11/33 etc) made him overcome the illusion completely (Nashto Mohah Smritir Labhda -18/73) .
Thus the power of words....it is sometimes hard to understand that an encouraging word can go such a long way. Anyone can speak words that tend to rob another of the spirit to continue in difficult times!
Speak carefully! Speak life to those who cross your path.
HAPPINESS
Once there was a king who had presented his daughter, the princess, with a beautiful diamond necklace. The necklace was stolen and his people in the kingdom searched everywhere but could not find it. Some said a bird might have stolen it. Finally, the king announced a reward of 10,000 gold coins for anyone who would bring the necklace.
One day a clerk was walking home along a river next to an industrial area. As he was walking, the clerk saw a shimmering in the river and when he looked, he saw the diamond necklace. Immediately he put his hand in the filthy, dirty river and grabbed the necklace, but some how missed it. He tried again, this time he walked in the river and spoiled his trousers in the filthy river and put his whole arm in to catch the necklace. But strangely, he still missed the necklace! At last he decided to plunge into the river, although it was a disgusting to dive in such filthy river. He plunged in, and searched everywhere for the necklace and yet he failed. This time he was really surprised and confused why he can’t get the necklace!!
Just then a saint who was walking by, saw him, and asked him what the matter was. He told the whole story to the saint. The saint then told him that perhaps he should try looking upward, toward the branches of the tree, instead of looking in the filthy river. The clerks looked up and true enough; the necklace was dangling on the branch of a tree. He had been trying to capture a mere reflection of the real necklace all this time.
Material happiness is just like the filthy, polluted river; because it is a mere reflection of the TRUE happiness of the spiritual world.
We are looking for happiness, that’s right, but the place we are trying to find it, is not the right one. We can never achieve happiness we are looking for, no matter how hard we endeavor materially. Instead we should look upwards, toward God, who is the source of real happiness, and stop chasing after the reflection of this happiness, which none the less very dazzling.
One day a clerk was walking home along a river next to an industrial area. As he was walking, the clerk saw a shimmering in the river and when he looked, he saw the diamond necklace. Immediately he put his hand in the filthy, dirty river and grabbed the necklace, but some how missed it. He tried again, this time he walked in the river and spoiled his trousers in the filthy river and put his whole arm in to catch the necklace. But strangely, he still missed the necklace! At last he decided to plunge into the river, although it was a disgusting to dive in such filthy river. He plunged in, and searched everywhere for the necklace and yet he failed. This time he was really surprised and confused why he can’t get the necklace!!
Just then a saint who was walking by, saw him, and asked him what the matter was. He told the whole story to the saint. The saint then told him that perhaps he should try looking upward, toward the branches of the tree, instead of looking in the filthy river. The clerks looked up and true enough; the necklace was dangling on the branch of a tree. He had been trying to capture a mere reflection of the real necklace all this time.
Material happiness is just like the filthy, polluted river; because it is a mere reflection of the TRUE happiness of the spiritual world.
We are looking for happiness, that’s right, but the place we are trying to find it, is not the right one. We can never achieve happiness we are looking for, no matter how hard we endeavor materially. Instead we should look upwards, toward God, who is the source of real happiness, and stop chasing after the reflection of this happiness, which none the less very dazzling.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Fear of death
Once, a young man named Vijay approached a famous Vaishnava sage. Vijay asked the sage, "O sage! My mind is very restless and always thinks about the sense pleasures. I can’t think beyond my selfish interests. I don’t have any sympathy for others. But how come you are aloof from bad habits and at the same time have compassion for fallen souls?"
The sage replied, "I appreciate your nice question, but I can see that within 24 hours you will leave this world. This reminded Vijay of the fact that how famous the sage is for speaking truth. In a state of shock he immediately asked permission to leave.
The sage asked, "Vijay! All your enthusiasm vanished, just with my one statement! Why such hurry? You still have 24 hours to go.” But Vijay insisted to leave and the sage didn’t compel.
At home, all the family members started crying after knowing the fate. Neighbors, relatives and friends also came there to bid adieu. About 1 hour before the final time, Vijay lied down on a bed. He looked as good as a dead man. Suddenly, the very same vaishnava sage walked in.
“Vijay, I just want to take 2 minutes of your precious time.” Somehow Vijay composed himself and looked towards the sage.
Sage asked, "In the past 24 hours, did you think ill for anybody? Or did you spoke ill of anyone? Or did you trouble anybody in anyway”?
Vijay, "How could I do anything, all the time I was thinking about death".
Sage, "Or did you abuse, steal or thought about sense pleasures?"
Vijay, "Sir that was absolutely impossible. I was completely engrossed in the thought of my death."
The Sage continued in a grave voice.
“Only Lord Krishna knows the future, who will die and who will live (Bhavishayani cha bhutani mam- B.G 7.26). One who has come in this world will surely leave this world one day (Jatasya hi dhruvo mryityo – B.G 2.27). Daily many people are leaving this world but still rest of the people look completely forgetful of this ultimate truth -death (Ananyahani bhutani gacchanti yamalayam – Mahabharata)! This is confirmed by the very fact that no one is preparing to leave (engaged in spiritual practice) for this final flight. The very remembrance of the death is extraordinarily enlightening. So, the answer to your question is that I differ from you only in one respect. You are aware of the death for past 24 hours and I am aware of this death for past 24 years!!”
Surely, remembrance of death would control the restlessness of our mind and would give an excellent thrust to our spiritual practice. Let’s not ignore this blunt truth and start preparing for our final journey with the most potent weapon - chanting of the holy names of Lord Krishna! Don’t wait till your doomsday – act now!!
The sage replied, "I appreciate your nice question, but I can see that within 24 hours you will leave this world. This reminded Vijay of the fact that how famous the sage is for speaking truth. In a state of shock he immediately asked permission to leave.
The sage asked, "Vijay! All your enthusiasm vanished, just with my one statement! Why such hurry? You still have 24 hours to go.” But Vijay insisted to leave and the sage didn’t compel.
At home, all the family members started crying after knowing the fate. Neighbors, relatives and friends also came there to bid adieu. About 1 hour before the final time, Vijay lied down on a bed. He looked as good as a dead man. Suddenly, the very same vaishnava sage walked in.
“Vijay, I just want to take 2 minutes of your precious time.” Somehow Vijay composed himself and looked towards the sage.
Sage asked, "In the past 24 hours, did you think ill for anybody? Or did you spoke ill of anyone? Or did you trouble anybody in anyway”?
Vijay, "How could I do anything, all the time I was thinking about death".
Sage, "Or did you abuse, steal or thought about sense pleasures?"
Vijay, "Sir that was absolutely impossible. I was completely engrossed in the thought of my death."
The Sage continued in a grave voice.
“Only Lord Krishna knows the future, who will die and who will live (Bhavishayani cha bhutani mam- B.G 7.26). One who has come in this world will surely leave this world one day (Jatasya hi dhruvo mryityo – B.G 2.27). Daily many people are leaving this world but still rest of the people look completely forgetful of this ultimate truth -death (Ananyahani bhutani gacchanti yamalayam – Mahabharata)! This is confirmed by the very fact that no one is preparing to leave (engaged in spiritual practice) for this final flight. The very remembrance of the death is extraordinarily enlightening. So, the answer to your question is that I differ from you only in one respect. You are aware of the death for past 24 hours and I am aware of this death for past 24 years!!”
Surely, remembrance of death would control the restlessness of our mind and would give an excellent thrust to our spiritual practice. Let’s not ignore this blunt truth and start preparing for our final journey with the most potent weapon - chanting of the holy names of Lord Krishna! Don’t wait till your doomsday – act now!!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Do You Have A Desire To Come Close To Eternal...
A small tree grew in the forest. The more it grew and the stronger it became, the more it admired the expanse of infinity that was the sky above its branches. The tree wanted to live forever, to free itself from the bonds of earth and travel far ... very far away.
One day the keeper of the forest walked by the tree. Being a good and sensitive man, he sensed that the tree was unhappy. "What's the matter?" he asked. "Is something troubling you?" The tree hesitated for a moment, then replied, "More than anything, I want to live forever!"
"I think I can help you," the keeper said. "But you'll have to trust me because what I must do first is cut you down. I know it sounds strange, and yet it is the only solution. I promise that if you let me cut you down, you will live forever."
The tree thought long and hard and finally accepted the keeper's proposition. When the saw began its work the tree suffered in silence, and then fell to the ground with a great crash of breaking branches. Its trunk was sectioned off and the sections cut into planks, and the planks planed into finer planks untill all that remained of the tree was the best part - "its heart". That last beautiful piece of wood was given to famous violin maker, who picked up the piece of wood, held it gently in his hands, caressing its surface and said, "the sound you will produce will be like magic to people's ears."
He worked day and night, fashioning the heart of the tree into a wonderful violin, one of the best ever produced. This he gave to a gifted musician, who immediately began to play. As the strings vibrated under the master's touch, the wooden body of the violin resonated in pure harmony. The notes reminded the tree of the vision of infinity, which had filled its spirit for so many years. And the tree understood, in its soul was pure sound, pure music ... the music of eternity.
Like the tree, we all have a desire to come close to the eternal. And we all can endow our acts and our works with the mark of infinity.
One day the keeper of the forest walked by the tree. Being a good and sensitive man, he sensed that the tree was unhappy. "What's the matter?" he asked. "Is something troubling you?" The tree hesitated for a moment, then replied, "More than anything, I want to live forever!"
"I think I can help you," the keeper said. "But you'll have to trust me because what I must do first is cut you down. I know it sounds strange, and yet it is the only solution. I promise that if you let me cut you down, you will live forever."
The tree thought long and hard and finally accepted the keeper's proposition. When the saw began its work the tree suffered in silence, and then fell to the ground with a great crash of breaking branches. Its trunk was sectioned off and the sections cut into planks, and the planks planed into finer planks untill all that remained of the tree was the best part - "its heart". That last beautiful piece of wood was given to famous violin maker, who picked up the piece of wood, held it gently in his hands, caressing its surface and said, "the sound you will produce will be like magic to people's ears."
He worked day and night, fashioning the heart of the tree into a wonderful violin, one of the best ever produced. This he gave to a gifted musician, who immediately began to play. As the strings vibrated under the master's touch, the wooden body of the violin resonated in pure harmony. The notes reminded the tree of the vision of infinity, which had filled its spirit for so many years. And the tree understood, in its soul was pure sound, pure music ... the music of eternity.
Like the tree, we all have a desire to come close to the eternal. And we all can endow our acts and our works with the mark of infinity.
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