From a Ashram during Govardhan Parikrama |
Once
I went to a well known busy shop and invited the business owner to come and
visit the temple. And, he said things like, Oh, I am so busy with my work.
Everyday, I am here from morning to evening looking after the business and I
hardly get time to come to the temple. I wondered, what would be the fate of
this man. No doubt, he will grow in his business, make more profits etc. but,
what about his personal and then spiritual life?. Anyway, I am not passing any
judgements and wishing anything bad for this guy. Everyone has their fate and
destiny and one reaps the fruits of his actions, but I was reminded of a Verse from
Bhagavad Gita Ch 4:11 and a story I heard some time ago.
"ye yatha mam prapadyante
tams tathaiva bhajamy aham
mama vartmanuvartante
manusyah partha sarvasah
tams tathaiva bhajamy aham
mama vartmanuvartante
manusyah partha sarvasah
All
of them-as they surrender unto Me-I reward accordingly. Everyone follows My
path in all respects, O son of Prtha".
You
walk one step closer to God and he will walk 100 steps towards you.
One
time, Lord Krishna and Arjuna went on a touring expedition of their kingdom.As
the sun started going down, they decided to take rest for the night in a remote
place.They visited the small house owned by a pious old lady.The lady was a
great devotee of Krishna and she was ecstatic and happy to recieve both of them.She is old,
poor, widow and had nothing much to serve them.The only way of her sustnance
was a Cow,which was giving ample milk.The old lady took a nice care of both
Krishna and Arjuna in every way she could by serving them with nice milk from
the cow, showing them a place to sleep etc. Next morning, Krishna and Arjun
thanked the pious Woman and continued their journey. Arjuna made a petition to
Krishna that, my dear Krishna, I am sure you must have been pleased by the way,
the lady took care of us. I request you to reward her accordingly. Lord Krishna
said, that’s right. I give a benediction that the Cow passes away. Arjuna was
shocked and lost for words but, because he respected the wisdom of Krishna,
never spoke a word.
The
journey continued and the sunset again. This time, Krishna and Arjuna reached
the Mansion of a wealthy person and they decided to take rest for the night.
The personal servants of the wealthy person received both Krishna and Arjun and
went to inform their Master about, their arrival. They came back after a short
while and informed, Krishna and Arjun that their Master, had acknowledge their
visit and but, is busy to see them. However, they said that, they were advised
to be taken care in every possible way and make their stay a pleasant one. The
night passed with all the wonderful services provided by the servants and next
day morning, it was time to leave. Arjun, little bit hesitantly said to
Krishna that to reward the wealthy merchant accordingly. Immediately, Krishna
replied that, may the wealth of the person increase many folds and he become
richer. Arjun could not take this anymore and said to Krishna – “ My dear
Krishna, what kind of justice you are giving to people?. Previously, you
pronounced the only Cow of the old lady to be dead, making her helpless and
poor. And, now for this arrogant merchant who did not even bother to come and
meet us, you are giving more wealth?.” Lord Krishna smiled and replied back to
Arjun – “ My dear Arjun, the old lady had very little time left to give up her
body and she had all the good qualities and devotion to come back to the
spiritual world but, she was too attached to her Cow, which might cause her to
take birth again in this material world. The wealthy merchant had too much
attachment to his wealth and does not want to give up any of his riches. And,
he wanted to avoid seeing me, incase if I ask him for any share of his wealth.
So, I have understood his heart and allowed his to go further away from me.
Whereas, the old lady had all the love and devotion towards me and made it
easy for her by removing the source of her only attachment – the Cow”.
Thus,
the Supreme God is fulfilling everyones desires and reciprocating accordingly.
For,
people who want him to be their Master, friend, Lover, Child – he becomes one.
For, some Yogis who want to perceive as the blissful, impersonal light, he is
appearing as a light. For other Yoga practitioners, who want to perceive him
within their heart as Paramatma or Supersoul, he is fulfilling their
accordingly. And, for people who want to forget and go away from him, he is
helping them so.